FMCSA Listening Sessions Wrap Up

In a series of five listening sessions that began in Washington, D.C., and finished at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky., representatives from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration were recently given the chance to hear firsthand feedback from truckers on the state of the hours-of-service rules that control how long interstate truckers can drive per day, and on how much rest.

Much of the discussion at the listening sessions revolved around proposed revisions to the hours-of-service structure. The hours-of-service rules were last altered in 2004, when the Bush administration allowed truck drivers to operate their vehicles longer, and on less rest. A number of safety advocacy groups filed lawsuits over the 2004 revisions; under a settlement between the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and these groups, the FMCSA is required to consider revising the rules. The settlement also called for these listening sessions, so safety advocates and industry groups could have a public discussion on the hours-of-service rules.

At the latest session, several truck drivers called for greater flexibility in the rules, allowing drivers to stop and nap when necessary. Under the current rules, many drivers feel pressured to drive for 10 hours without rest, so that they can get the most of their allowed drive time per week.

With the listening sessions over, the FMCSA moves on to the next stage in the process. By July, the agency must have a formal draft of a new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking available. From there, any proposed changes will travel to the White House Office of Management and Budget, after which the rules will be published. Before any new rule becomes official in July of 2011, there will be additional chances for all concerned to comment on the proposed changes.