From the newest driver all the way up to the CEOs of megacarriers, someone in almost every corner of the trucking industry has spoken out against the July 1st HOS changes. The FMCSA is publicly standing behind their decision to move forward with the rule changes despite not having sufficient data to prove that the changes would have any positive impact on highway safety. Despite that however, they have been quietly granting exemptions from certain parts of the HOS rules to those that make enough noise or have enough political clout.
The Department of Defense for example, has succeeded in procuring an exemption from the mandatory 30-minute rest breaks for all drivers hauling munitions, weapons, or other cargo for the Department. “Short Haulers,” defined as all drivers who operate within 100 miles of their normal work reporting location are now also exempt from the 30-minute break.
With the walls crumbling so fast, members of the U.S. House of Representatives are pressing the attack. Reps. Hanna, Rice, and Michaud, all members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, have proposed a bill that would reverse the HOS changes implemented on July 1st. While it would not necessarily be a permanent measure (they are requesting a roll-back for at least 6 months), they are also requesting that the Government Accountability Office “conduct an independent assessment of the methodology FMCSA used to devise the current 34-hour restart rule.”
Together these requests would function like a classic one-two punch, the first would temporarily repeal the ruling, the second would knock it out for good.
The champions of the bill – who are from both sides of the aisle – have dubbed it the TRUE Act, and it is receiving support from OOIDA, the ATA, and other industry interest groups.
“It is wrongheaded for the federal government to impose an arbitrary and capricious regulation that impacts almost every sector of the American economy without first finishing a study on its effectiveness,” said Rep. Hanna.
“I’m concerned that the new rules push drivers to get back on the road during the morning rush hour, increase road congestion and jeopardize safety,” he added. “The independent assessment required by this bill will ensure the regulations are based on sound data in order to minimize costs and improve safety.”
Next Story: Hair Sample Drug Testing To Become The Norm?
Source: overdrive, federalregister, fleetowner, overdrive
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Mark says
May “role” back for all? You mean “roll” back, right? Who the hell is editing this rag? I’d expect to see that in the comments section, but not in the report itself.
Jake says
We all rely, to heavily, on Spell Check.
Lisa says
Actually it is “too heavily” not “to heavily”.
ploof says
Thus was the subject of Jake’s joke.
Pedant says
Mark speaks for me. Please make an attempt to proofread the copy.
Samuel Barradas says
Folks, I make an effort to proofread, but I also administrate the site, manage the server, fix bugs, write articles, help drivers in need, provide information to truckers and the general public… basically everything necessary to keep TruckersReport accessible, serving drivers, and 100% free. If you care to volunteer your services, I’ll forward you the articles for proofreading when they’re finished, which is typically ~midnight every Thursday, and they need to be returned with editing by 1am in order to make it into the newsletter. If it’s not important enough for you to help out with, simply point out the error and move on without the snark.
Andrew H says
I for one greatly appreciate the work put forth in this each and every day. Getting the email compilations each week is like getting a new magazine, I look forward to it. I’m sorry that some people are anal retentive and cannot appreciate the content presented before them in an unbiased, truthful manner, and overlook Monday details.
Bill says
Tell em Sam. Let’s focus on the content here folks. Thanks for all you do Sam. Lots of good info In these articles.
ploof says
I noticed the articles are very pro-driver in almost every circumstance… But, I saw some articles written by others that go the other direction, supporting the crap that the government tries to feed us. What do we do? We need to trust every article. We trust most of them. And, we do appreciate the work put in to the articles. I’ve not seen another news source that isn’t afraid to state things as they are, most times, in the face of the gov… that you KNOW is reading every article here. Under that kind of pressure, and still able to buck the system- that’s pretty gutsy. Thanks.
ARX says
Nothing would make me happier than this happening. And when it does, I will take great pleasure to rub it right in the face of the redhead deadhead that runs the FMCSA at the very next listening session at which FMCSA does not listen to anyone, but will listen to me. None of the new rules make any sense and three is obviously no proof that it will have positive effect on anything as opposed to lots of proof of negative effect on lots of things. I trust in sense in the end defeating none sense and that is what is going to happen here. What is the most interesting on this new rule is that it did not pleased anyone. Nor the industry or the concerned citizens. We truck drivers are holding key to prosperity of this entire nation so why do we let others that have absolutely no idea how the industry works in every day reality to mess constantly with our livelihoods. It is time to stand up for ourselves brothers and sisters.
BigBadBill says
We have a firm “no gramer polic” policy on TTR
Adrian Morgan says
I am enjoying this wholeheartedly. This just proves yet again, that the FMCSA are full of hacks that don’t know a damn thing about this industry.
roadtoad says
Wow… I may be the only driver on here that SUPPORTS most of the new FMCSA rule changes. I know most of us aren’t getting paid for a mandatory break, but is it really that unreasonable to park your truck and take a 30 minute break by your 8th hour? Most of the general public only works 8-10 hours a day, so how is it such a bad thing to take some time away from the road?
I actually enjoy having a legitimate excuse to park my truck during my workday and grab a bite to eat, relax and check some emails, or grab a short nap. Yeah, it sucks at times, and yeah, it makes my workday that much longer… But come on, a 30 minute break after being on duty/driving for 8 hours. Not unreasonable at all.
Ray says
The part about not taking 2 resets in a 7 day period, and a reset having to encompass 2 periods of time between 0100-0500 are my biggest issues. Many drivers drive at night for example.
roadtoad says
I only drive at night. Just don’t go over your hours and you won’t need a reset. I know it is easier said than done, but it can be managed.
Ray says
So then your reset just got extended to 48 hours unless you wish to mess up your circadian rhythm and drive unsafe. Never driving over 8.25 hours a day is easier in some jobs than others.
roadtoad says
You got a fair argument. I am usually off on weekends and work a consistent schedule. I can see how this would be an issue for people working a irregular schedule.
Trailrunner says
No I support the rule changes also. The law makers are beginning to look like a bunch of asses now. They keep changing all this every year. There is nothing wrong in allowing a driver to have 30 min break in 8hrs. After all warehouse workers and office personal all get their breaks on time no less. This is an industry of abuse and if allow the driver will not get any breaks in 14hrs while everyone else in the company is either out to lunch or sitting at home. It’s been my experience in the past that my company would dispatch me for 11-14 hrs without time to take any kind of break. Yes I was dangerous behind the wheel at times with no patience of trying to drive faster then I should given the road conditions. There is a driver storage, just take a break whenever and say you needed it to perform safely. If they fire you, you have a wrongful termination suit against the company, and unemployment.
Dave says
Not if you live in a state that can fire you at will
michael says
A true ’30 min break’ in a relaxing truckstop is one hour minimum after you exit, park, walk then, at end, find your way back to the road! And even getting rid of the elogs and using the ‘ole ‘comic book’ doesn’t really help. ‘Split Sleeper’ provision is one way around this, makes more sense especially at night.
I’d love the new reset rule . . .
. . . if it was mandated from HOME like everyone else! Put THAT in yer efficiency ‘rest rule’ pipe and smoke it!
Flower child says
Typical, if your close to this administration your exempt from everything. I wonder how many of the same groups are exempt from health care?
Taures15 says
I don’t mind the 30 min brk requirement, but the 34 hr reset seemed really complex and confusing. The 1am to 5am part was okay but the once every 160 hrs or so doesn’t work for us. I liked being able to decide when the 34 hr reset occured, now, my computer just uses the first one no matter what.
Floyd says
I sat almost 48 hrs and still didn’t get a reset, so that part of the rule sucks!!How rested do I need to be? I got so much rest I was too tired to drive.
WING says
Don’t be a part of Dumb@$$.com. Park It campaign. Park in place. Only way the public will start
complaining they didn’t get their goods and the railroads and airplanes refuse to back into or land in the small spaces at a big box store!
BKWRM says
FYI The “exemption” granted to Dept. of Defense haulers does no favor to the driver. He/she must still make the rest stop but the “rest” must be logged as on duty not driving since the driver is required to be in constant surveillance of the load. If this is a sweetheart deal, I for one, would rather not accept the favor.
Ron Miller says
I get tired of hearing about how the FMCSA /DOT is the root of all evil. Why do they exist in the first place? They exist because the industry will not police itself. True, 4 wheelers cause a lot of the problems we see on the road every day but, in a lot of instances the drivers have put themselves in a position to be involved themselves or even create a worse situation. Tailgating, speeding, rolling stops, you name and there is a truck driver that does it. All in the name of getting more miles. The vehicles we drive, cars and trucks alike, are deadly weapons when driven abusively without concern or respect for others on the road. From my own experience, which is limited to just a few years, those who complain the loudest, are usually the worst offenders. Frankly, there are more than a few bad apples in this barrel. Those bad apples are why we have FMCSA/DOT. They justify their being.
Keith says
Many of the rules laid on drivers are results of politicized issues, and the largest carriers say to Big Brother, Yeah, we’ll go with that! Then, we get more regulations. Of course, if all drivers were properly responsible and (large) carriers weren’t greedy, hardly any of the rules could be justified.
Old Man says
I have been driving for only 30 years, their is alot i have yet to learn, i have my good days and bad, this 30 minute break may be good for some and bad for others, i noticed some drivers can pass me 5 times in a 600 mile trip, that may be good for them, whats 30 min.? for me it will increase my speed and decrease my fuel mileage. easy to just say no to hot loads. dispatchers performance makes a differance as well, and when their loads are not covered all is not well in the office. it must be done as a team, good and bad. 30 minutes are good for my pets but it not only increases my hours it tires me out, an extra 30 min. when i get up to make my delivery makes a huge difference when combined. i can refresh myself by stopping for fuel and not pissed by everyone trying to get their 30 min, setting at the fuel islands killing enough time to qualify for their 30 mins. We are human and each of us different, let us decide for ourself. who better to make this decision, to change our habbits can result in disaster by having adverse affects on our body, a safe driver is apparently doing something right, why try changing his ways?. the 34 hour reset only amazes me some can even come up with this stupidity, i’m here to make a living people, not set somewhere killing time. it pisses me off, and i skip the unecessary extra time for a reset resulting in faster speeds to cover my loads, no miles equals no pay and to try and get these companies to pay better! good luck, slowing down to 58 increases my pay but decreases my miles and no hours at the end of the payday week is a killer when their is no reset, i drive like an idiot with no time to spare. are these extra hours on my reset making me a safe driver or an enraged idiot. its only a matter of time before i to kill someone, i hope not