U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today unveiled a package of initiatives, which he said are meant to improve the lives of truckers and highway safety, and get "Washington out of your trucks and your business."
The package includes money to expand truck parking as well as initiatives to remove some regulations, including withdrawing a proposed rule to mandate speed limiters. Duffy said the package also modernizes driver resources, cuts red tape, and cracks down on what he called "bad actors".
“Truckers keep America running," said Duffy. "While the country sleeps, truckers grind through the night to help keep shelves stocked, families fed, and businesses humming. It’s a job that requires grit and dedication. But for too long Washington, DC has made work harder for truckers. That ends today. Thanks to President Trump, we’re getting Washington out of your trucks and your business."
The package, according to a statement from Duffy, includes:
Expansion of Truck Parking
- USDOT is advancing more than $275 million in funding to expand truck parking availability and opening up additional grant programs and discretionary grants for truck parking projects. This includes $180 million for Florida to add 917 new truck parking spaces along the I-4 corridor in Volusia, Seminole, and Osceola Counties.
Removal of One-Size-Fits-All-Mandates
- USDOT is withdrawing the proposed rulemaking to mandate speed limiters so professional drivers can operate their vehicles safely. Duffy said FMCSA will not extend the Electronic Logging Device mandate to pre-2000 model year trucks.
Modernizing Driver Resources
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is launching new digital assets that are more user-friendly, modernizing the Consumer Complaint database, and updating the DataQ system so it is more transparent.
Slashing Red Tape and Cracking Down on "Bad Actors"
- FMCSA is proposing to eliminate 1,800 words from federal regulations, which will save truckers time and money. Concurrently, the agency has renewed its focus on unlawful double brokering—a practice that directly harms drivers.
Studying Hours of Service
- FMCSA is launching two pilot programs to study increased flexibility in hours-of-service regulations. The goal for each pilot is to gather data on whether giving drivers more control over their schedules can improve rest and enhance safety. One pilot program will allow participating drivers to split their 10-hour off-duty period into more flexible combinations, including 6/4 and 5/5 splits. Another pilot program will allow participating drivers to pause their 14-hour on-duty period for a period of no less than 30 minutes and no more than three hours.
Trucking groups have reacted to the plan Duffy unveiled.
David Heller, senior vice president of Safety and Government Affairs of the Truckload Carriers Association:
- "We applaud the Trump Administration for their support to productively keep this country’s freight moving. As TCA’s remains steadfast in its value proposition of improving the driving job, this package delivers upon that promise by investing in one of the key priorities outlined by our driving force, the critical need for safer and more secure parking. By making this a national priority, the administration continues to demonstrate their support for an industry that thrives on delivering a nation."
Chris Spear, president and CEO of American Trucking Associations:
- “We thank the Trump Administration and Secretary Duffy for their continued focus on the issues impacting America's trucking industry. As the leading mover of the nation's freight, the concerns of our industry not only impact the 8.5 million Americans who work throughout trucking, but they also affect the countless businesses and families we serve across the country. A safe and strong trucking industry is critical to America's economic growth and security, and data-driven measures like these that reduce regulatory burdens are important steps toward that end. We look forward to continued partnership with the Administration to advance policies that strengthen America's supply chain and bolster our essential workforce."
Todd Spencer, president and CEO of Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association:
- “OOIDA and the 150,000 truckers we proudly represent welcome these transformational actions from President Trump and Secretary Duffy. These steps not only improve the daily lives of truckers across America, but also enhance safety for everyone on the road. For years, truckers have urged Washington to address the severe shortage of truck parking, eliminate the dangers posed by a national speed limiter mandate, and give drivers greater control over their hours-of-service. We thank President Trump and Secretary Duffy for listening to the men and women behind the wheel who keep America’s economy moving."
A detailed breakdown on the package can be found here.
