In The News

Magazine reports HOS revamp a ‘deal’ to quell concerns over Ferro

WASHINGTON — DC VELOCITY, a magazine that targets “the informational needs of distribution center managers and executives,” has reported that the agreement by the Department of Transportation to rewrite the Hours of Service rule within 21 months was a deal pushed by the White House to “quell concerns” by the Teamsters, safety advocacy groups and others “over the controversial nomination of Anne Ferro” to become the next administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

A story in the current issue and available online, quotes an unnamed trucking executive who said it appeared the administration worked out an agreement to appease Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, D-N.J., chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee's Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure Subcommittee.

The report said Lautenberg was delaying action on Ferro's nomination amid concerns expressed by labor and safety groups that Ferro, who has been president of the Maryland Motor Truck Association (MMTA) since 2003, was too close to the industry to regulate it effectively.

Lautenberg’s spokesman did not immediately return a call to The Trucker to confirm or deny the report.

Teamsters spokeswoman Leigh Strope called any talk of a backroom deal to allay union concerns over Ferro's nomination a "ridiculous assertion," according to the article.

Ferro appeared before the full committee on Sept. 23.

At her hearing, Lautenberg said Ferro’s ties to the trucking industry as head of the Maryland association made him” concerned about her ability to take the bold action needed to keep Americans safe.”

In response to Lautenberg’s concern, Ferro told the committee: “Going back to my career as a state leader in Maryland [she served seven years as Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administrator before joining the MMTA] when I made the transition to MMTA I continued in the vain of advocating for safety. I assure you my passion is highway safety.”

Lautenberg then grilled Ferro about two issues that he believes are among those bold actions that must be taken with respect to the current HOS and electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs).

He noted that Ferro had publicly supported the current HOS rule, which he said allowed drivers to stay behind the wheel longer and become more fatigued.

“Will you recommend to the DOT that the HOS rule be revisited?” Lautenberg asked Ferro at the hearing.

“If confirmed, I am firmly committed to review the data, research and analysis behind the current rule and use that information to advance safety where and if it’s determined improvements are necessary,” she answered.

The trucking executive cited in the magazine article noted that the full committee announced it had approved Ferro's nomination the day after news that FMCSA would revisit HOS was made public.

Her confirmation by the full committee had been anticipated the Thursday before the Tuesday when the settlement was announced, but was delayed at the last minute, reportedly because of a heavy Senate calendar.

Her confirmation by the full Senate seems assured, said the executive, who asked not to be named. He added that the trucking industry was not party to the agreement and was "totally surprised" by the announcement that HOS would be revisited.

Link to the article by clicking here .

The Trucker staff can be contacted to comment on this article at [email protected] .

www.theTrucker.com