FMCSA takes comments on hours of service changes
The U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Monday published its initial ideas for changing the hours of service rules governing how much time truck drivers can spend behind the wheel.
The review is underway because a federal court threw out part of the new rules that were adopted in 2003 and went into effect a year ago, saying the agency looked at how the rule would impact safety but neglecting to consider the health effects on drivers.
The agency said it is putting it’s 2003 rules on the table and asking for comments on how to change the rule to meet the concerns raised by the court.
The rulemaking reduced the overall workday for drivers by an hour to 14 hours, but increased the daily driving limit to 11 hours from 10 hours. However, a big change was the use of a continuous workday clock that no longer permitted drivers to subtract lunch, loading and other breaks from their total driving allotment.
Congress allowed the current rules to remain in effect until Sept. 30 while new rules are developed.
To review a PDF file of the proposed rulemaking, go to http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a050124c.html and scroll down to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.