DOT Releases Feedback on New Hours of Service Rule
U.S. DOT Modernizes Hours of Service Rules to Improve Safety and Increase Flexibility for America’s Truckers
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) yesterday published a final rule updating hours of service (HOS) rules to increase safety on America’s roadways by updating existing regulations for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. Here’s what others are saying about the new rule:
“Today’s rule is the result of a two-year, data-driven process and it will result in needed flexibility for America’s professional truck drivers while maintaining the safety of our roads…We appreciate the time and attention President Trump, Secretary Chao and Administrator Mullen have paid to our industry and to this regulation, which, while maintaining the core limitations on drivers’ work and rest cycles, makes smart changes to portions of the rules.”
Chris Spear, American Trucking Associations President and CEO
https://www.trucking.org/news-insights/ata-welcomes-new-hours-service-rule
“The Chamber applauds the changes in the new hours of service rules issued today by the U.S. Department of Transportation…these smart, commonsense improvements will provide needed flexibility to the trucking industry while ensuring a high bar for safety, and we are grateful for Secretary Chao and Acting Administrator Mullen’s leadership on this important issue.”
Ed Mortimer, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Transportation and Infrastructure
“Commercial vehicle drivers are an essential part of our food supply chain and the independent grocery industry…the final rule serves to both maintain the safety of our roads and highways and protect commercial drivers, while also allowing for additional flexibilities to let drivers get the job done.”
Robert Yeakel, National Grocers Association, Director of Government Relations
https://www.nationalgrocers.org/news/nga-supports-modernization-of-hours-of-service-rules/
“FMCSA’s final hours-of-service rule should improve trucking efficiency and expand trucking capacity…the decision to increase the air-mile radius to 150 miles (172.6 statute miles) for the short-haul exemption is particularly important for drivers transporting agricultural products that are ineligible for the agricultural exception to the hours-of-service rules, such as processed products like soybean meal, distillers grains and flour. Expanding the short-haul exemption greatly increases its usefulness for agricultural haulers across the country.”
National Grain and Feed Association
https://www.ngfa.org/press-releases/fmcsa-finalizes-hours-of-service-rules/
“As a driver I believe these rule changes make a lot of sense. I feel like they will help me be a safer driver and will allow me to stop and take a nap without being penalized.”
Shawn, professional truck driver
https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FMCSA-2018-0248-8200
“Thank you to FMCSA for publishing a final Hours of Service rule focused on safety and flexibility for truck drivers.”
Motor Transport Association of Connecticut
https://twitter.com/MTAC_trucking/status/1261265992321306624
“The new HOS would be very helpful. I can tell you for sure that the rules we have now are dangerous….makes drive faster to get job done.”
Marcus, professional truck driver
https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FMCSA-2018-0248-8238
“We appreciate FMCSA and USDOT for listening to the concerns of supply chain stakeholders. This good news will continue to help alleviate supply chain challenges.”
Food Industry Association
https://twitter.com/FMI_GR/status/1261011578922700800
“Consumer Brands commends the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) decision to finally adopt common-sense changes to Hours of Service rules which provides greater flexibility, addresses past oversights and makes U.S. roads and highways safer for all…the final rule, issued by FMCSA today, helps to achieve greater autonomy for drivers and keep the flow of goods moving across the United States efficiently…we appreciate the Trump administration’s work to implement these practical solutions for truck drivers to help ensure Americans can access the essential products they need, when and where they need them.”
Tom Madrecki, Consumer Brands Association, Vice President of Supply Chain and Logistics
https://consumerbrandsassociation.org/press-releases/hours-of-service-changes-will-increase-access-for-consumers/
“The extended transportation flexibility announced today allows for the continued movement of milk in a timely manner. We appreciate the work of the USDOT and FMCSA to ensure that the supply chain for dairy never stops.”
National Milk Producers Federation
https://twitter.com/nmpf/status/1260992004021985287
“The updated Hours of Service rule will help provide more flexibility for agriculture while improving safety on the roads. Thank you for your continued support of the food supply chain, the White House, U.S. Department of Transportation, and FMCSA.”
National Turkey Federation
https://twitter.com/natlturkeyfed/status/1261281714342674432
“The new hours-of-service changes show that FMCSA is listening to industry and fulfilling its duty to establish data-driven regulations that truly work…we especially thank the Agency for moving forward with additional sleeper berth flexibility. While TCA and our members advocate for full flexibility in the sleeper berth for our drivers, FMCSA’s new regulations demonstrate that we are one step closer to achieving that goal.”
John Lyboldt, President of Truckload Carriers Association
https://www.truckload.org/news/hos-changes-announced-by-fmcsa/
Scott, professional truck driver
https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FMCSA-2018-0248-8215
“Thank you, FMCSA, for your recent actions to provide both safety & flexibility for America’s truck drivers so that they may continue to deliver, replenish & stock shelves with basic grocery items. We commend all those working to ensure the needs of our communities are met.”
American Beverage Association.
https://twitter.com/AmeriBev/status/1260993974229229573
“…These improvements to hours of service rules won’t increase driving time, but they recognize that a one-size-fits-all approach does not give drivers the necessary flexibility to make the right decisions to safely operate their vehicles. I applaud the Secretary Chao and the Trump Administration’s continued commitment to improving the regulations in a manner that benefit workers, the flow of commerce, and the safety of our transportation system.”
U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member
https://republicans-transportation.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=404885
“…I applaud the administration’s decision to implement common sense changes to Hours of Service rules while maintaining the safety of our roadways. These changes are a step in the right direction as I’ve heard time and again from drivers that the rules lack flexibility on issues that don’t impact the safety of others.”
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Ranking Member
https://republicans-transportation.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=404885
“America relies on our truckers to move food & other vital goods across our country. Drivers need more flexibility to safely operate their vehicles in interstate commerce. I’ve advocated for this rule change since I was chairman of Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Thanks, UDOT and Secretary Elaine L. Chao.”
U.S. Senator John Thune, Senate Majority Whip
“The new rule is a major step forward because it will allow professional drivers to better manage fatigue.”
Brian Fielkow, President of Jetco Delivery
https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/trucking-hours-of-service-rule-major-step-forward-drivers-rest Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao’s video announcement of the new rule is available here: https://youtu.be/AGH8H89oZ4c
Category: Driver Stuff, Featured, General Update, Management, News, Safety
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