OOIDA asks feds to change HOS regulations

Updated Feb 17, 2018
hours

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association today petitioned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to change hours-of-service regulations for truck drivers.

OOIDA’s petition requests:

“That truck drivers subject to HOS regulations be allowed a rest break once per 14-hour duty period for up to three consecutive hours as long as the driver is off-duty.  This rest break would effectively stop the 14-hour clock. However, drivers would still need to log 10 consecutive hours off duty before the start of their next work shift.  The association also recommends eliminating the existing 30-minute rest break requirement.”

The 160,000-member association claims current regulations are “overly complex, provide no flexibility, and in no way reflect the physical capabilities or limitations of individual drivers.”

“They force drivers to be on the road when they are tired or fatigued, during busy travel times and adverse weather and road conditions, or when they simply aren’t feeling well,” said Todd Spencer, acting president and CEO of OOIDA. “In short, OOIDA and its members view current HOS regulations as forcing truckers to comply with a regulatory framework that jeopardizes their safety and the safety of the traveling public.

“We think it’s time to seriously address the issue of lack of options available for truck drivers whose schedules are at the mercy of shippers, receivers, weather, congestion, and other obstacles, to operate safely.”