Concern About Hours Revision

TAMPA, Fla. — The chairman of American Trucking Associations is not confident the Department of Transportation won’t do more harm than good in revising hours-of-service regulations.

John E. Wren, chief executive officer of Lakeville Motor Express, Roseville, Minn., said it is important that the hours reform the industry is waiting for be grounded in up-to-date scientific understanding of human fatigue and sleep.

“If [DOT] has taken 60 years to change the current rules, how many years might it take to get a change in a new rule — if that rule is scientifically wrong?” Wren said Aug. 18.

Current regulations require a driver to stop after 10 hours for an eight-hour rest — wherever the driver may be. “With modern, comfortable trucks, why wouldn’t it be better for a driver to drive a few more hours, then really rest?” Wren asked.

The rules also make a distinction between being on-duty and driving, he noted. The driver may only drive 10 hours at a stretch, but may do other work for an additional five.

Visiting Tampa for the National Truck Driving Championships, Wren said ATA has developed some recommendations but will not air them until reviewed by a panel of sleep consultants.

He said an additional problem drivers face is the inadequate number of parking spaces and rest stops for trucks. He noted that money for building more rest stops was included in the 1998 highway act.

For the full story, see the August 23 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.