Institute for Safer Trucking Announces Eric Hein to the Board of Directors

Washington, D.C. — The Institute for Safer Trucking, a nonprofit working to educate the public on truck safety issues and data-driven solutions to address them, today announced the appointment of Eric Hein to its Board of Directors.

 “We started this organization with the goal of amplifying the voices of survivors and families of truck crash victims in pursuit of data-driven policies that can reduce truck crashes, injuries, and deaths. Eric’s addition will help ensure that families are represented on our board, and in discussions with other truck safety stakeholders,” said Harry Adler, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Institute for Safer Trucking. “Eric’s passion to protect the public from the preventable tragedy that killed his son Riley, coupled with his decades of experience working in a regulatory agency will greatly advance our mission of making trucking safer. Since his son’s tragic death, Eric has become one of the preeminent advocates for improved underride protections on large trucks and trailers. We look forward to working with him on this critical issue and welcome him to board.”

“I was heartbroken to learn that the death of my 16-year-old son Riley could have been prevented if side underride guards had been required on semitrailers. I hope to prevent similar tragedies by requiring public agencies, nationally and state-wide, to implement effective and efficient measures such as side underride guards that will make trucks safer for the traveling public. I am a passionate, fact-based advocate who understands the regulatory system, and I am confident that requiring technological solutions on trucks and trailers will make our roads safer so that other families do not have to go through the devastation that my family has experienced.”

Eric Walter Hein worked throughout the United States as a wildlife biologist. He was an endangered species scientist and policy leader for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, recently retiring after 30 years. Eric is an expert in negotiating and navigating the Freedom of Information Act and the Administrative Procedures Act, and he has successfully used these skills advocate to Congress to include truck safety legislation in the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021. Eric’s experience is hands-on, leading collaborative teams to achieve common goals that benefit society. Eric now educates the public and elected officials about the safety and financial benefits of side underride guards and campaigns for them to be mandatory on semitrailers and single-unit trucks.

The Institute for Safer Trucking serves as a reliable resource for the public to learn about safety improvements that can reduce truck crashes, injuries, and fatalities, as well as for families of truck crash victims and survivors in need of help after their truck crash. To learn more visit www.safertrucking.org.

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