Leaders of three trucking companies discussed the effects of hot-topic regulations recently at the Commercial Vehicle Outlook Conference in Dallas. One such issue, Compliance Safety Accountability drew praise for the positive effects it would bring about long term, specifically making roads safer for carriers and the public while producing a better driver. Other issues like hours of service and electronic onboard recorders Continue Reading

Among the criticisms leveled at the proposed hours-of-service rule revisions are its negative impact on productivity and potential to hasten a driver shortage, as many businesses would have to hire new drivers to keep pace with current shipping levels. But small businesses could suffer the most, according to one company president who testified before a congressional committee this week. Calling the proposed changes “unnecessary and unjustified,” James Burg, of James Burg Trucking Co., estimated that his company would have to add more trucks and drivers to Continue Reading

A prominent road safety researcher who once headed the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s research division is calling into question the methodology and thus conclusions drawn from several studies used as the basis for proposals to revise the current hours-of-service rules. Dr. Ronald R. Knipling says the handful of studies the FMCSA allowed comment on during the extended discussion period were flawed either in their sampling or the stretch in comparing two very different subjects. At best, these findings would need more research or attempts at replication to make them Continue Reading

The Federa Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is extending the comment period concerning changes to the hours of service rule for commercial motor vehicle drivers, but is only accepting comments on four additional documents it is making public. FMCSA said the extra comment period for the four additional documents will require additional time that was not envisioned in 2009 and that it will be unable to publish a final rule by the previously Continue Reading

One analyst at FTR Associates predicts that the new hours-of-service revisions will have the greatest impact on less-than-truckload shippers, more so in terms of distribution costs. Primarily, those costs will rise because of the incresed need for workers at the dock. Where in the past, the supply chain put more of a burden on the trucker, FTR says the loading dock will now have to adapt to the in-service hours of the trucker. In an analysis of the Continue Reading

Despite all the benefits the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has touted the hours-of-service revisions will offer, one independent study of the changes show increased costs–and questionable means at arriving at such claims–instead. Edgeworth Economics, a consulting firm that’s done wide-ranging work for the likes of the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Football League Players Association, found that the government agency overstated the benefits of the proposed rule by about Continue Reading

At a recent listening session to review the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s proposed hours-of-service changes, many industry executives expressed the sentiments held by many: No change necessary. In a rebuttal to the notion that shorter hours would alleviate fatigue among drivers, representatives suggested something more proactive, like focusing its energy to address the fundmentals of Continue Reading

In response to the outpouring of feedback to its proposed changes to the hours-of-service rule, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is extending the public comment period. Now, the deadline for comment is March 4, which also allows the organization to review additional documentation, particularly Continue Reading

In order to solicit as much feedback from drivers as possible about proposed revisions to the hours-of-service rule, Pegasus TransTech is offering a free service at every Pilot, Flying J and Love’s truck stop location. A free scanning service is being offered so drivers can send their letters to the Department of Transportation (DOT) free of charge. Recent proposed revisions affect the rest periods required for drivers. Critics fear that these changes Continue Reading

Proposed changes to the FMCSA’s hours-of-service rule have come under fire from various industry groups, but the agency is soliciting feedback via public meeting and webcast on Feb. 17, 2010. The session will be held at the Crowne Plaza Washington National Airport Hotel, 1480 Crystal Drive, Arlington, Va. That session will be broadcast at www.fmcsa.dot.gov, and viewers will have the opportunity to direct questions at Continue Reading