• 16
  • February
    2012

Earlier this month, Representative John Mica of Florida introduced a new highway bill in the House. The bill is intended to compel changes to the hours of service rule, or the number of hours a truck driver can drive per day. If passed, it would require the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to reword the current 34-hour restart specification. Under this provision, the restart is limited to once per week, allowing for two sleeping periods.

The new bill requires that the agency perform a field study of the proposed provision to be completed by March 2013. If supported by the study, the rule would take effect on schedule three months later. However, if unsupported by the study, the agency would be required to modify the rule and the current restart rule would stay in place during that process.

The new bill has other provisions that also affect trucking safety. Under the bill, states could increase truck weight limits on interstate highways from 80,000 to 97,000 pounds, if the truck has a sixth axle.

Another provision would give states permission to issue specific permits for total vehicle weight up to 126,000 pounds on segments of interstate measuring 25 miles or less. This provision has already met with opposition.

"Truck drivers know firsthand that heavier and longer trucks are much harder to maneuver and put additional stress on our already deteriorating highways and bridges," said Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) executive vice president Todd Spencer.

The OOIDA believes that the weight increase would also require smaller carriers to purchase new equipment they simply cannot afford.

The bill is still in its early stages and must be passed by both the House and Senate before it becomes law. Some of the provisions in the current bill may change before any final votes are cast, but it is important for truck drivers and anyone in the trucking industry to pay attention to laws that may affect their safety on the road.

Source: "House Highway Bill Challenges Hours of Service Restart Provision," Truckinginfo.com, 2/2/12