Maryland Governor Signs Slow Down to Get Around Legislation
It’s the 18th State to Make Collections Safer for Waste and Recycling Workers
Arlington, VA – Today, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed SB 445, legislation that requires drivers to slow down and safely change lanes when approaching solid waste and recycling vehicles from behind. This legislation, commonly known as Slow Down to Get Around (SDTGA), is a priority for the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA), which represents America’s private waste and recycling industry.
“Driving safely should be a top priority for anyone getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. We all want to safely get home to our families. This legislation carries an important message—take your time and slow down around garbage trucks,” said Darrell Smith, president and CEO of NWRA.
NWRA member companies have been diligent in providing advanced safety training for drivers and those who hop off the trucks to make collections. But drivers who are distracted, or just going too fast, are a major hazard for waste collection workers. Over the past four years, NWRA member companies and its chapters nationwide have successfully championed “Slow Down to Get Around” legislation, which is now the law in 18 states and under consideration in several more. The late State Senator Wayne Norman (R-Harford County) was instrumental in the passage of SB 445.
The law will take effect on October 1, 2018.
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ABOUT NWRA
The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) represents the private sector waste and recycling services industry. Association members conduct business in all 50 states and include companies that manage waste, recycling and medical waste, equipment manufacturers and distributors, and a variety of other service providers. For more information about NWRA, please visit www.wasterecycling.org.
Contact
Brandon Wright
National Waste and Recycling Association
bwright@wasterecycling.org
202-364-3706
