RoadLites Goes to Washington: Attending the TCA Call on Washington

RoadLites recently had the opportunity to take part in the Truckload Carriers Association’s Call on Washington in Washington, D.C.

Our co-founder, Angie Twardawa and Director of Sales Cara Papavramides, joined trucking professionals from across the country for meetings and conversations focused on the policies affecting truck drivers, motor carriers, and the future of the transportation industry.

For RoadLites, participating was about more than representing a commercial vehicle lighting company. It was an opportunity to bring a perspective shaped by nearly 15 years of firsthand experience in trucking.

Bringing Real Trucking Experience to Capitol Hill

Angie grew up on the road with her father, a professional over-the-road truck driver. She later helped build and operate a refrigerated motor carrier serving customers throughout the United States and Canada.

Her industry experience has also included freight brokerage, warehousing, truck parking, fleet management, regulatory compliance, and the development of RoadLites LED safety lighting.

That broad background provides an understanding of how transportation policies affect everyone from the driver behind the wheel to the carrier managing safety, operating expenses, customer expectations, and regulatory requirements.

Participating in the TCA Call on Washington provided a chance to bring those real-world experiences into important industry discussions.

Advocating for Truck Drivers and Motor Carriers

During the event, trucking professionals discussed several issues affecting the truckload industry, including:

• Highway infrastructure and transportation funding

• The nationwide shortage of safe truck parking

• Commercial driver drug and alcohol testing policies

• Real-time CDL status notifications for motor carriers

• Proposed changes to commercial vehicle size and weight limits

• Policies affecting highway safety and carrier operations

These are complicated issues without simple answers. Changes that may appear beneficial on paper can create significant operational, financial, and safety consequences when applied across the entire trucking industry.

The trip also created opportunities to connect with other transportation professionals working on these challenges, including the team at Truck Parking Club. With safe truck parking remaining one of the industry’s most urgent infrastructure concerns, collaboration between carriers, technology providers, advocates, and policymakers is essential to finding practical solutions for drivers.

That is why it is important for policymakers to hear from the people who operate trucks, manage fleets, employ drivers, maintain equipment, and experience these challenges every day.

Why Advocacy Matters to RoadLites

RoadLites was created around one central mission: improving the visibility of commercial vehicles.

Our LED safety lighting solutions help make trucks, trailers, and other commercial equipment more noticeable on the roadway and at the worksite. However, commercial vehicle safety extends far beyond a single product.

It also depends on responsible drivers, well-maintained equipment, practical regulations, adequate infrastructure, safe truck parking, effective enforcement, and communication between the transportation industry and government.

Attending the Call on Washington was a natural extension of the work behind RoadLites. We want to contribute not only through the products we develop, but also by participating in the broader conversations shaping commercial transportation.

Representing a Woman-Owned Trucking Business

As a woman-owned company with roots in motor carrier operations, RoadLites was proud to be represented in Washington, D.C.

Women continue to play an increasingly important role throughout trucking—as professional drivers, fleet owners, executives, safety professionals, technicians, entrepreneurs, and advocates.

Being present matters. Sharing firsthand experiences matters. Making sure smaller carriers, working drivers, and independent transportation businesses are part of the conversation matters.

Continuing the Conversation

The TCA Call on Washington reinforced the importance of staying informed and actively involved in the decisions affecting our industry.

RoadLites will continue supporting the trucking community, advocating for practical safety improvements, and developing distinctive LED lighting solutions for commercial trucks, trailers, fleets, and equipment.

We are proud of how far RoadLites has come—and even more excited about where our commitment to safety, visibility, and industry involvement will take us next.