The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has yet to debut new Hours of Service rules for truckers and other interstate commercial drivers.
The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is apparently still reviewing the proposal, and so far, there’s no word on when that process might conclude.
How the Hours-of-Service Rules Could Change
The Hours of Service rules are intended to reduce the risk of fatigue-related commercial vehicle crashes. Among other things, the regulations restrict long-haul truck drivers to 11 hours of driving time within a 14-hour on-duty window and require a 30-minute break after 8 hours behind the wheel.
The Trump-era FMCSA is currently considering four key changes to the Hours of Service regulations:
- Expand the current 100 air-mile “short-haul” exemption from 12 hours on-duty to 14 hours on-duty.
- Extend the current 14-hour on-duty limitation by up to 2 hours when a truck driver encounters adverse driving conditions.
- Revise the current mandatory 30-minute break for truck drivers after 8-hours of continuous driving.
- Reinstate the option for splitting up the required 10-hour off-duty rest break for drivers operating trucks equipped with a sleeper-berth.
New Regulations Were to Debut on July 31st
The FMCSA was planning to publish its final Hours of Service rule proposal on July 31st, following an initial delay attributed to last year’s government shutdown.
Earlier this week, however, a spokesperson for the OMB confirmed that the revisions remained under review. He also declined to speculate on a possible publication date, noting that the office “historically does not comment on rules until review is finalized.”
The trucking industry – one of President Trump’s most loyal backers – is anxiously awaiting the Hours of Service rule revisions, and insists weakening the regulations will allow truckers more flexibility without compromising safety.
Fatigued Truck Drivers Kill Someone Almost Daily
According to NPR, however, fatigued truck drivers kill someone on the road nearly every day. Deadly truck and 18-wheeler crashes are already up 40% since 2009, and safety advocates are understandably concerned that the impending Hours of Service rule changes will only lead to more fatal accidents.
“We really should not be considering weakening the regulations we should be considering enhancing them,” Cathy Chase, President of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, told NPR. “The safety of everyone traveling on our roads is at stake.
Contact Our Undefeated 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers for a Free Consult by Calling 1-888-603-3636 or CLICK HERE
Our Undefeated 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers have won billions for thousands of people throughout Texas, Louisiana, and across the United States in connection with fatigue-related commercial trucking crashes and other preventable accidents.
If you or a loved one was injured in a truck or 18-wheeler crash, and you have questions about your legal rights and options, please call 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here to send us a confidential email via our “Contact Us” form.
All consultations are free and, because we only work for a contingency fee, you’ll owe nothing unless we win your case.