Work, Hours Rules May Take Drivers Out of Trailers

April 3, 2000 9:15 AM, EDT

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Government regulations, both on the books and in proposal form, could further aggravate the already costly problem of long waits at shipping and receiving docks, according to the Truckload Carriers Association.

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Drivers for dry van fleets wait an average of 33.5 hours a week, according to a survey released by TCA last year. Refrigerated fleet drivers wait an average of 44 hours a week.

If hours-of-service rules being developed by the Department of Transportation eliminate the distinction between on-duty time and driving time, truckload carriers could see as much as a 37% additional drop in productivity, said John Ameling, president of KATA Inc. in Chestertown, Ind.

Ameling’s comments are based on a white paper developed for TCA by Washington, D.C., attorney Laurie T. Baulig for distribution to shippers and receivers. The white paper cites published reports from last fall that DOT is considering allowing truck drivers to work up to 14 hours at a stretch followed by 10 hours off-duty. Two hours of rest time would be included in the 14-hour work day.

For the full story, see the Apr. 3 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.