Amidst all the controversy of the highway funding bill passed by Congress and the divisive riders that have been attached, the Senate Appropriations Committee has put forth its own DOT funding bill that is heavily in favor of almost everything that the big carriers have been lobbying for; allowing longer and heavier trucks, mandatory e-logs/EOBRs, and mandatory speed limiters.
The bill was passed in a 20-10 vote and will go on to the full senate before being handed off to Congress and then the White House.
If it becomes law, the bill will make a few changes that are almost universally approved of in the trucking industry like extending the suspension of the HOS restart rules and preventing the FMCSA from increasing minimum insurance amounts. Additionally, the FMCSA would be required to warn users that CSA scores “are not necessarily reliable indicators of relative safety performance.”
Along with those however are changes that have been dividing the industry for years:
- Within 60 days of the bill signing of the bill, the FMCSA must publish a final rule mandating the use of Electronic Onboard Recorders (EOBRs).
- Within 60 days of the bill signing of the bill, the FMCSA must publish a final rule on mandatory speed limiters.
- Carriers will be allowed to run twin 33-foot long trailers.
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Source: truckinginfo, overdrive
Well, here we go. The Senate is in a tizzy because their big trucking lobbyists have just made enough contributions to various Senators campaign funds. Now, the mega-carriers will get exactly what they want: more regulations & requirements that will do NOTHING but help drive the small independents out of business.
How is this NOT detremental to competition and ultimatelly a big fat negative for the consumer?
Yep and it will stack the highway with traffic because nobody can pass
No kidding, it will be funny when a truck that can squeeze out 65.3 pulls out to pass the 30 mile train of trucks going 65.0.
Looks like the JB Hunts, Schneiders, Swifties and the rest of the giants got their way.
How is this supposed to make things better? Anyone from the FMCSA please feel free to answer.
Come now, Don. Do you really think there is one single person in FMCSA that ever reads this stuff? The only thing government can do very well is fail, as they prove time and time again. If we put you in charge of an industry that you know nothing about, you could screw it up too. It’s time for the drivers to put a stop to all the stupidity, but sadly enough most are content to preach to the choir.
I hear you…If every truck just parked for a week…and let all the merchandise sit and rot on the docks…maybe things would change…but until that happens and guys stop talking freight for $1.00 a mile
Things would change..but most of them talk a big game behind the governments back …but would never have the balls to actually do it…It’s our own fault when we as drivers got the industry de-regulated …we lost 80% most of our power..now it all belongs to the government and the brokers.
SO WE STUCK WITH WHAT WE CREATED
Arkansas, among many other States have learned what split speed limits do. Too bad the feds have to learn it all over again. Pathetic!
I believe its time to take back our roads, And push back!!!!!!! We need our rights out here, I feel that we the truckers of America should put a BAN on all capitols of America, Let them fend for themselfs. let them go outside there cities to get what they want. Lets work together on this put out the word and lets put a Ban on all Capitols!!!!
I really hate where the industry is going I grew up around. I worked 4 small companies all my life and now I work 4 the big company and I HATE it government has no clue wht it’s like out here I wish drivers would stick 2gether and stop this nonsense
Like I said mosteoporosis Truckers talk about big game …but when it comes down to it they have the uncanny ability to lose their voice
SO until you can get them to park and protest against the government…you’ll have to suck up whatever the reason or rules the government puts out …GOOD LUCK
yep it’s going about how i said it would go. it will get down to 5 companies. drivers won’t make a dime. anyone who wants to be an owner op. will forced to lease to one of the big 5. “as it will come to be known” for the rates they and not what the owner op decides. an added benifit for the rich man. by restricting truck speeds to 62 mph to up the gross weight to 100,000 that’s a bad idea. since the start of spring I have seen one mega fleet truck after the other off in the ditch from drivers falling asleep due to a slow speed. so that will get worse as time goes on. once mega fleet gets full control of all the freight in the country. they will start capping drivers miles and forcing driving to work longer hours for less money on capped miles. which will cause drivers to live a very poor life style. far worse then they do now. so a negative impact will hit the economy from drivers not being able to afford a home, health care, or anything else. so by 2025 cost of live will be 20% higher then it is now. and i imagine some where barried deep in the law. and worded so no one will know. drivers won’t be able to take on a second job to make up the difference in the loss of income.