Alabama’s trucking industry is one of the most critical engines of our economy. Every day, professional drivers deliver the goods that keep store shelves stocked, factories running, and communities thriving.

In Alabama alone, more than 130,000 people work in trucking, and the industry supports families in every corner of our state. Trucking is not just a job, it’s a lifestyle, and it comes with the pride of knowing your work truly matters to your community, state, and country.

For all its contributions to our citizens and economy, the perception of this vital industry is under attack by the actions of a small but growing number of unqualified or unscrupulous operators that have exploited and gamed a system of enforcement that is stretched too thin.

These bad actors cut corners, exploit loopholes, and, in some cases, engage in outright fraud. The result is unfair competition, public safety concerns, and damage to the reputation of professional drivers who safely and reliably provide for their communities.

Alabama’s law enforcement community is second to none, but like any successful operation, they require adequate resources, clear and direct objectives, and actionable standards that are consistently reviewed and revised.

Many of the current standards designed to ensure safety and protect our industry’s integrity already exist but they’re far too often being undermined by sneaky loopholes and ambiguous guidance that shifts as new administrations come and go and by some states with selective safety standard enforcement.

Thanks to a recent executive order and enforcement guidance, individuals who fail an English Language Proficiency test are being put out-of-service; however, the reality is they should have never been issued a CDL in the first place if existing laws were being enforced.

Our Alabama law enforcement and driver’s license office has done a superb job upholding these standards yet some states who inappropriately issued these licenses are blatantly saying they will not enforce this long-standing common-sense rule.

There are a host of issues like this that allow bad actors and “chameleon carriers,” who rebrand to escape penalties, to operate.

Often run by criminal rings who profit from cargo theft schemes, these outlaws are beginning to get some attention from federal, state and local authorities, but more must be done.

The Trump administration has made it clear that they are allies to our cause with recent Executive Orders, but many issues remain. Working in collaboration with federal and state regulators and lawmakers, we need to enact tougher oversight of licensing and training and require real accountability for those who abuse the system.

Enforcing English proficiency requirements, cracking down on fraudulent or illegally issued CDLs (non-domiciled or otherwise), combating freight broker fraud, and addressing loopholes in cross-border visa programs are non-partisan common-sense safety and fairness measures that protect everyone on the road.

It’s equally important not to lose sight of the bigger picture. For the vast majority of truckers and carriers, this is a profession built on integrity, responsibility, and pride.

These men and women aren’t just cashing a paycheck to support their families. They are delivering needed freight safely and reliably to our communities who depend on them. Alabama Trucking will continue to tell their stories for the world to hear.

We showcase some of these stories through MyTruckingFuture.com, which also gives young people and career changers a clear roadmap into the industry.

Highway Dreaming, the new trucking anthem performed by Alabama based musicians and available on all major music platforms, celebrates and humanizes professional drivers, offering a peek behind the curtain of an industry too often defined by its challenges rather than its successes.

These story telling mediums showcase what the bulk of the trucking industry looks like. Our drivers are highly trained, respected members of their communities, and essential to the success of our state and country.

The trucking industry has always adapted to change. From new technologies to shifts in trade and consumer demand, truckers have remained resilient. But if we allow neglect, loopholes, and unclear standards to hamper our enforcement, we risk letting the worst operators set the tone for the entire industry.

The road forward will be paved with smarter policies, support for enforcement, and a resolve to permanently remove the bad actors and law breakers who obscure the achievements and value of the millions of honest and safe trucking professionals in America.

Mark Colson is President and CEO of the Alabama Trucking Association.