• 19
  • January
    2012

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a rule revising commercial truck driver hours of service (HOS). It employs the latest in driver fatigue research to ensure those operating commercial vehicles on the nation's roadways are well rested, according to a DOT News Release. The rule is designed to increase highway safety and decrease the number of truck accidents.

Rule Specifics

The original rule allowed truckers to work 82 hours per week. The new rule reduces the total by 12 hours, but allows the current 11 hour work day to remain. The rule also includes a mandatory overnight rest period between the hours of one and five a.m.

The changes are based on "the most extensive and transparent public outreach effort in our agency's history," according to the DOT's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

 

Retailers Question Whether Reduced Workday Will Lead to Safer Roads

Not everyone is happy with the new rule. Safety advocates hoped to see a reduction in the 11-hour workday while retailers' voice concerns the reduced workweek will lead to a slowdown in delivery, further hurting the economy. The National Retail Federation also states the rule undermines intended safety benefits because it will result in more trucks on the road.

Retailers also express doubt that the overnight rest period will result in increased safety. Many utilize overnight deliveries not only to stock shelves for the next business day, but also to aid in reducing daytime congestion on already busy roadways. The need for a nighttime break may lead to more daytime deliveries, further congesting the road and potentially leading to more accidents.

Whether the law will reduce the number of traffic accidents or result in increased safety concerns is yet to be seen. Even if the law is beneficial, some companies will violate the rules. As a result, if you or a loved one were injured in an accident involving a commercial truck, it is important to seek the counsel of an experienced truck accident attorney.

Source: Truckinginfo.com, "Final HOS Rule Retains 11 Hour Driving Limit," 12/22/2011.