hours of service News Updates

A researcher who worked on the scientific studies used by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in formulating its hours-of-service rules said the agency misapplied those studies’ findings, American Trucking Associations said Monday.

OK, now we’ve said it again: Leave the current hours-of-service rule alone because it has proven its value for promoting safety while allowing the freight transportation industry to continue moving the nation’s freight.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Transportation Department’s new proposed hours-of-service rule is too complex, rigid, and would reduce the productivity of motor carriers, while making highways no safer, trucking industry and trade association executives and truck drivers told federal regulators last week.

Members of the trucking industry will have their first opportunity to make an in-person case for preserving the current hours-of-service rules on Feb. 17 when the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration conducts a listening session in Arlington, Va.

More than 30 carrier and shipper organizations, including American Trucking Associations, have banded together to seek a House Committee hearing to spotlight problems with the new federal hours-of-service proposal.

A coalition including American Trucking Associations, other groups and several large trucking companies has asked a key congressional panel for a hearing on a proposed new federal hours-of-service rule, saying the changes would have a “negative impact” on the U.S. economy.

Hours-of-service regulations have never been a “one size fits all” solution to the number of hours a driver is permitted to operate. Changes to the HOS regulations will always affect carrier operations differently — some slightly, some dramatically.    

American Trucking Associations began its pushback against the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s proposed hours-of-service rule last week by questioning the agency’s analysis and asking Congress to lobby on the industry’s behalf.