OOIDA Hosts 45th Anniversary at GBATS

OOIDA and 4 State Trucks have partnered to present the tenth annual GBATS which will include a listening session co-hosted with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

OOIDA leadership will host two open house meetings, Friday 10 a.m. to noon and Saturday 1-3 p.m.

Truck show attendees can also participate in scheduled entertainment and activities. Other events include a professional bull riding competition, a truck and tractor pull, a motorcycle stunt rider show, big rig drag races, a truck convoy for the Special Olympics of Southwest Missouri, and a downtown concert featuring Confederate Railroad.

The FMCSA public listening session regarding the agency’s hours-of-service regulations is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 28 from 3:30- 5 p.m. in 4 State Trucks’ shop area behind the main store.

During the scheduled listening session the FMCSA hopes to gather feedback which will be used to determine if HOS revisions may alleviate unnecessary burdens placed on drivers while improving safety on our nation’s highways and roads. After introductory remarks from FMCSA, participants will be invited to share their views on current regulations and other topics related to commercial truck drivers in an open forum. FMCSA has setup a registration page for the event – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fmcsa-public-listening-session-tickets-50282212451

The Association’s members have often pointed out to their representatives in Washington, DC that current regulations are overly complex, provide no flexibility, and in no way reflect the physical capabilities or limitations of individual drivers.
OOIDA members have told lawmakers their concerns about regulations that force them to be on the road when they are tired, during busy travel times and in adverse weather or road conditions. Their schedules are also at the mercy of shippers and receivers, and other obstacles that create a conflict between operating both safely and in compliance with HOS regulations.

OOIDA petitioned the FMCSA earlier this year and expressed support for proposed legislation that came soon after, both of which would reform current regulations that dictate rest breaks for truck drivers.

OOIDA’s petition recommended that drivers be allowed to take rest breaks once per 14-hour period for up to three consecutive hours as long as the driver is off-duty. It also suggested eliminating the 30-minute break requirement.