34 Hr Restart

My boss sent me an email today, and this is what it said. It is from the state of Oregon:


34-Hour Restart Suspension Now in Effect
As anticipated, the suspension of the 34-hour restart provision of the Hours-of-Service rules has been signed into law by President Obama. It, along with the required study of the impacts of the restart provision, was included with the $1.1 trillion appropriations bill that was passed by Congress.

What does this mean?

The rule is now in effect. Carriers should return to using the 34-hour restart as it was before the changes last year, which means:

• 1:00 am to 5:00 am rest period breaks are no longer required.
• They can use the restart more than once a week providing they have 34 hours off duty
• As the 168 hour requirement is no longer in effect, the driver can take the 34-hour restart as often as they want.
• The 60/70 hour rule has no changes to its requirement.
• The driver may start the 34-hour restart period at any time during the day.

The 34-hour restart gives the driver a fresh 60/70 hour clock. The 34 hour requirement consecutive off duty period can be completed by the following:

1. All off duty
2. All Sleeper Berth
3. A combination of 1 & 2, as long as it is 34 hours consecutively, without interruption
Also required as part of what just passed, FMCSA will be doing a Driver Restart Study. Owner/operators and drivers of all types of companies can be part of the study. Contact is Dr. Martin Walker: martin.walker@dot.gov. There will be reimbursements for any costs to the driver/carriers. Drivers will have input to help FMCSA obtain data to conduct the study.
Webinars will be starting next week. Watch the OTA Weekly Express for more details.
Cherlyn Staten, Events & Member Services Coordinator
Oregon Trucking Associations, Inc.

www.ortrucking.org

 

And just look at how much money is wasted in doing the useless study's too.

 

I'm really interested in seeing the crash statistics for 2014. It sure seems like there are a lot more crash's now, than before.