FMCSA Retains
Truck Driver Hours-of-Service Limits
[Posted 12/13/07]
The
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
announced that truck drivers will continue to be
limited to driving only 11 hours within a 14-hour
duty period, after which they must go off duty for
at least 10 hours under an Interim Final Rule (IFR)
made public recently. The IFR was developed after
new data showed that safety levels have been
maintained since the 11-hour driving limit was first
implemented in 2003.
The
agency noted that in 2006 the fatality rate per 100
million vehicle miles traveled was 1.94, the lowest
rate ever recorded. Similarly, since 2003, the
percentage of large trucks involved in
fatigue-related fatal crashes in the 11th hour of
driving has remained below the average of the years
1991-2002. Furthermore, in 2005 there was only one
large truck involved in a fatigue-related fatal
crash in the 11th hour of driving, while in 2004
there were none. According to FMCSA Administrator
John H. Hill, “The data makes clear that these
rules continue to protect drivers, make our roads
safer and keep our economy moving.”
Hill
noted that the agency also is working to finalize a
proposed rule that would require drivers and
trucking companies with serious or repeat
hours-of-service violations to track their hours of
service using electronic on-board recorders.
The new hours-of-service rule was issued in
response to the recent decision by the District of
Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals vacating key
provisions of the existing hours-of-service rules
effective on December 27. In order to ensure no gap
in coverage of these important safety rules, the
interim rule temporarily reinstates the 11-hour
driving limit and required off-duty period
provisions while the agency gathers public comment
on its actions and the underlying safety analysis
before issuing a final rule.
Related Links:
Interim Final Rule Document with Links
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