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Monday, January 3, 2011

FMCSA Proposes Rule on Hours of Service for Truck Drivers

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a regulatory proposal that would revise hours-of-service (HOS) requirements for commercial truck drivers.

Although I won't go into a lot of detail on all the changes,  one of the most significant is the daily hours of service.  Currently most drivers are allowed to drive a maximum of 11 hours per day and be on-duty a maximum of 14 hours per day.   The new proposed rule would reduce the maximum on-duty hours to 13 per day and comments are being requested on moving the maximum driving hours to 10.  More details about other changes can be found at the department's website here.


The reduction in hours on duty per day and maximum driving hours will undoubtedly save lives and reduce the number of tractor-trailer wrecks.  The National Transportation Safety Board reports that driver fatigue is a factor in 30 to 40 percent of trucking accidents annually.   

There is a 60 day window from December 29, 2011 in which the public can comment on the proposed changes.  I encourage everyone to visit the FMCSA's Web site and encourage a 10 hour maximum driving rule.  Click here to be taken to the comment page of the U.S. Department of Tranportation's website, or go to http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/topics/hos-proposed/comments.aspx#online.

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