The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has weighed in on the proposed Hours of Service (HOS) changes, and they’re not happy. Far from helping to improve the controversial regulations, the NTSB says that the changes could actually make truck drivers – and those who share the road with them – less safe.
NTSB is the federal agency in charge of investigating transportation accidents, but it’s also the federal government’s top safety advocacy group.
In order to get their proposed HOS changes pushed through, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will need to prove (among other things), that the changes would have no impact or a positive impact on driver safety. So, it’s not great news for them that the NTSB says that the changes are half-baked ideas which serve ‘flexibility’ without serving safety.
“Although the FMCSA has provided support that the individual changes to the regulations will increase flexibility, the agency has presented no evidence that the proposed changes will improve highway safety,” writes Robert Sumwalt, Chairman of the NTSB.
NTSB also points out that no studies or analysis have been done to determine the impact of all of the changes individually or how making all of the changes simultaneously could affect safety.
Source: freightwaves, truckersreport, DOT
Scott Hayden says
Where’s the evidence that the current regulations are making the roads safer? Is there any viable evidence that ELDs or even the CDL itself have made it any safer or is it just typical bureaucratic “feel good” “we’re doing something about it” nonsense?
Rocky Duff says
Very well put Scott
Wayne Swicegood says
The reality is that it’s not about safety to begin with. It’s 100% about two things.
1. Government control.
2. Money. With government control always means some sort of tax usually camouflaged as something else. Regulations so complex that unless you’re a big enough entity to have full time employees keeping up with it you’re going to make an honest mistake. Guess what happens when you make an honest mistake? FINES. The Federal Government has an insatiable appetite for control and money. Enough is never enough to them. Without their control over every single aspect of our lives they cease to have a reason for existing.
Roger Bradley says
Couldn’t agree more. Where was the NTSB’s faux concern for proof studies BEFORE the eld mandate ?
Where are the studies showing the eld mandate has improved safety? It hasn’t, the stats show it has increased accidents. As usual, implementation of new regulations, stiff fines, penalties and taxes can be made by almost any govt enitity with NO studies,proof or reason, but trying to repeal or reason with them takes an act of God.
Mr. Hollywood says
I like your response. The only thing I disagree with is your reference that a resolution would take an act of God. The issue we have with regulation, unfair costs (fines, tolls, and misc), lack of parking, pay, and a plethora of other discriminations directed toward drivers would be resolved if we all united (company, independent, owner operator. That doesn’t take an act of God, but it would take a concerted effort on the part of drivers.
The question is, “how do we start the process?” I always see complaints, but no discussion of uniting. It is easier to defeat your enemy if united. It is easier to be defeated by your enemies if separated. This platform is a good way of starting a movement, open real dialogue, and move toward unity.
Does someone know how to start a thread for truckers to unite? We can spread the word at truck stops, radio, media, social media, and other ways.
As long as we aren’t united we will always be treated second rate and be forced to deal with government over reach. Many of these national organizations, that are supposed to represent drivers, have loss their focus. Let’s become the solution and not another voice of complaining. Let’s take control.
Don says
Funny, that was the intent of the Unions. How did that work out?
In any organization, there has to be leadership. The more powerful the organization, the more chance that the leaders will become corrupt.
The teamsters still exist.
John says
Don it worked out GREAT for me. I made GOOD money, worked under fair rules, excellent benefits, and someone always had my back. Now I’m drawing a GREAT pension with retiree medical benefits.
Too bad the government dedicated themselves to weakening unions by various means, along with complacent sheep that just take it-albeit whiningly-as their pay and working conditions decline precipitously. Nothing will ever change.
Our forefathers must be so ashamed.
Sean says
If drivers would just leave and force the companies to go back to relaying the loads like they used too. For to long companies have shafted drivers. I was just shafted by JCT. I paid over 40k on my lease and they only claimed I paid about 25K. Where did the money go
….
Harold Hart says
ELD’s are not about safety, but are a tool lower company operating costs. It has also fueled a cottage industry. They are here to stay. Get used to it. The only excuse for paperlogs is to violate the law.
Douglas Kirk says
There is no law that can improve safety. It’s all in the hands of the driver, regardless of the type of vehicle driven
Sandra Hudson says
you’re right
Adam says
I think Ronald Reagan said it best: “Government is not the solution to our problem. Government is the problem.” Cant believe any of these supposed “studies”. Its just filling peoples heads with nonsense and is micromanagement at its worst.
Sarge says
The NTSB needs to prove that the changes are LESS SAFE!
They can’t because they are Truckers, just another bottom feeding Government Agency of leeches!
Leave us ALONE!
Sarge says
The NTSB needs to prove that the changes are LESS SAFE!
They can’t because they are NOT Truckers.
They are just another bottom feeding, bureaucratic government agency of parasites who “think” they know what is best for us!
STEVEN MILLS says
Just wondering, has anyone noticed that there are a lot more traffic jams now than before the implementation of ELD. I think there are more now than ever before. And those dadgum cellphones, 3 out of 5 cars sitting in jams, not pulling up because they are too busy texting.
Mike says
Accidents are through the roof since the ELD became mandatory, my insurance continues to climb…
Wayne Swicegood says
I’m on the verge of going out now and I’ve never had an accident of any kind.
JIM M says
So friggin sick of these ‘groups’ (I call them HATE groups) screwing us over time after time when 85% of accidents are caused by the damn 4 wheeler!
JIM M says
I left the crooked over-regulated industry and started my own business. I’m done with this crap!
Robert Shurtz says
I drive a sidedump and work local home every night I don’t have to screw with ELD, my pay check is only a few hundred less than if I drove OTR..Reading the comments is why I went this route…
Kc says
The so called technology wiz’s will never learn technology can’t stop stupid. Then stupid is what thinks technology will be the cure all for everything. They need to govern the 4 Wheelers.
Don says
I also have this to add to my post! Autonomous trucks and cars! Both have had failures! But that’s a great idea too right! No it’s not peoples lives are at stake! No Safety there. They say it’s safe but all the glitches aren’t worth one life!
Sean says
Correct. In addition I think that trucks should always have the right of way..just like trains. The bigger vehicle should always have the right of way….
Jeremy M says
This is never going to end. As has been stated so many times before,this nonsense is the result of clueless bureaucrats trying to justify their over inflated salaries and pensions.
George says
Nothing will change with hos unless we as truck drivers rebel against all these rules and regulations that are breaking our knees! These clowns have never been in a truck and make all the rules…Where is a George Washington to overthrow their tyranny!? Out with these penpushers that are worse than the Taliban in Afganistan!
Jay says
You can call it anything you want. When comes right down to it all it is is the failure of government to admit it’s wrong about something. They knew the last batch of changes would do nothing but increase their ability to generate revenue and if they reform it all now it will DECREASE that same ability so get used to it… it’s not going to improve, at least for drivers.
Santi Bailey says
Ntsb this is same group that said it’s ok for trucks to not have a driver sounds like a good safety group to me lololol,
William Brandon says
Again, the saga of HOS. Remember in your history about the Indians. Now we (truckers) are the Indians. Promises, manipulations, lies, taxes, regulations, fines, excessive hold times at deliveries, fuel price manipulations, etc…etc..you name it.
By chance, hook or crook IF we just all stayed home for about a month, what would a collective voice say?
Without a shoulder to shoulder stand there will be no US!
Randall North says
We need to take the next giant step forward and use the technology we now have to segregate the 4 million CMV operators. Perhaps start out with the big 2 that need different rules. OTR and local. Just separating these 2 will take a couple of years. Then add sub categories to each, like local with sleeper, or OTR livestock. The list of CMV operators that get screwed because the rules are for comb drivers is long. It goes the other way also. Training teams should have their own set of rules that look nothing like anyone else’s. We need to stop kicking the can down the road and start creating different rules for different drivers.
D. Mann says
The NTSB basically wants to know what’s in it for them to sign off on this, in other words they want to get greased!