In The News

ATA, Teamsters disagree on merits of HOS rule

WASHINGTON — The truck drivers Hours of Service Final Rule announced Nov. 18 has brought about praise from some and disdain from others.

In a news release, the American Trucking Associations welcomed the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's reaffirmation of the Hours of Service rule that has been in place since January 2004.

“While operating under these rules for the last five years, the trucking industry's safety performance has dramatically improved” ATA said in its news release. “Large truck crash, injury and fatality rates have reached their lowest point since the U.S. Department of Transportation began recording the statistics.

“The HOS rules were designed in 2003 to apply the latest scientific research on human fatigue and alertness. The rules increase the minimum number of hours available for driver rest, reduce the number of hours in a driver's work day, increase the driving time within the reduced work day, and better promote a 24-hour work-rest schedule in harmony with the body's natural circadian rhythm.”

ATA went on to say that the substantive provisions of the HOS have never been overturned by any court. “Dire predictions of fatigue and accidents made by labor union advocates have never come to pass.”

The Teamsters does not agree with ATA on the merits of the rule.

Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa said the Bush administration is undermining highway safety with its “last-minute regulation” that lets truckers drive longer hours.

“We will continue to fight this dangerous midnight rule through the courts and through Congress,” Hoffa said. “We’re currently reviewing our legal options, especially since the court threw out this regulation twice.

“Letting tired truck drivers spend even more time behind the wheel is foolish and dangerous.… I just hope this country can survive the last 61 days of the Bush administration as it goes into a frenzy of gutting public health and safety protections.”

The specific components of the rule, under which the industry has operated since January 2004, are:

• A minimum 10 consecutive hour rest period, which was increased from 8 consecutive hours.

• A work day maximum of 14 consecutive hours, which was decreased from 15 non-consecutive work hours per day

• A maximum of 11 driving hours, which was increased from a maximum of 10 driving hours, and

• Resetting of the driver's weekly hours tally after the driver has remained off duty for 34 consecutive hours or more.

Barb Kampbell of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at [email protected].