Truckers gear up for new hours rule

Trucking companies and others in the industry are working to get drivers up to speed on looming changes to hours of service rules.

Included among a 1,700-page spending bill passed by Congress over the weekend was a rider that tweaks provisions to the hours of service rules. Gone are the two consecutive rests periods required between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. as part of a driver's 34-hour restart. Also put on hold is a provision that the restart must happen once every seven days. Once signed into law the changes will allow drivers to revert to a 34-hour restart rule that they used from 2003 to June 2013.

Also included in the bill, which expires Sept. 30, 2015, is funding for a study on hours of service laws.

Drivers remain bound to a 70-hour workweek. They're also still required to take a 30-minute rest during the day, but the changes in when the restart must happen should provide additional freedom for drivers setting their work schedules.

ART Transport of Van Buren Vice President Jason Decker said once the bill is signed into law by President Barack Obama, the company will begin training its 50 drivers.

"There will be a lot of talk on the road. We call it 'CB talk,'" Decker said. "Some of the things drivers hear out there is crazy, not even close. We'll bring them in and explain what changes have been made and what it means for them."

Drivers have been rooting for changes to hours of service rules since they were implemented in July 2013. An attempt to repeal at least portions of the law have been ongoing since the spring.

When the changes were implemented last year they were viewed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration as a means of reducing driver fatigue. Drivers who were locked into certain hours of operation felt it put them on the highway during more heavily trafficked times and forced them into dangerous situations because of overflowing rest stop and trucking plaza parking.

Studies conducted by pro-industry groups pointed to loss of productivity among drivers.

Arkansas Trucking Association President Shannon Newton said the changes have been met positively by those within the industry. Drivers and others in the industry are happy to see a call for additional study of hours of service rules.

"Members that I've spoken to over the past few days are thrilled with the passage of this amendment to the hours of service rules," Newton said. "The industry supports a proper study to help determine hours of service rules that will enhance safety and preserve the livelihood of America's truck drivers."

National groups like the American Trucking Associations have been issuing correspondence with members to help them better understand the changes. A frequently asked questions piece distributed by the American Trucking Associations said that the organization is actively working with enforcement agencies to help prepare them for tweaks.

Newton said she anticipates no enforcement issues ahead for Arkansas as a result of the changes, introduced by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. Companies and law enforcement will be on the same page, Newton said.

"I have spoken to our commercial law enforcement officials," Newton said. "They are aware of the change. Their respective associations are expected to issue enforcement guidance."

Business on 12/16/2014

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