If you are an owner-operator, you probably have strong opinions about trucking regulations and want to fight for changes that could help your small business — but how?
One of the most effective ways to make a change to laws and regulations that impact your trucking business is to reach out to your representatives. Here are a few tips that can get your message heard.
- A phone call is one of the most effective tools for communicating with your representative. A quick call to your Congress person’s office is more likely to get attention than a letter or email.
- Be brief. A long, rambling message won’t be as effective as one that is quick, specific, and to the point.
- Know your stuff. Do your homework before you reach out to a lawmaker so that you’ll be ready to answer any follow up questions.
- Understand that the person you’re talking to may not know that much about trucking. When you connect with your representatives about your frustration about Hours of Service regulations, be aware that they may have very limited knowledge about those regulations unless they’ve had close contact with the transportation industry.
- Be polite. Name calling, an angry tone, or general rudeness is more likely to push people away than to help them see your point of view. Courteous behavior will get you much further.
- Be professional. As an owner-operator, you’re representing both your own business and the trucking community at large. Remember that the way you present yourself to the public at large reflects on your industry.
