Groups Continue Battle Over Sleeper-Berth Rule

ven though the government’s revised hours-of-service rules went into effect on Oct. 1, several groups continue to make efforts either to delay its full implementation, or conversely, to stiffen enforcement. The sleeper-berth provision is at the center of the disagreement.

On Sept. 29, Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) introduced a measure to halt enforcement of the sleeper-berth provisions until Jan. 1, 2006, an effort supported by American Trucking Associations but opposed by law enforcement agencies.

ATA also has sent a letter to all 50 state vehicle enforcement agencies, asking that they follow the lead of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration with regard to soft enforcement of the HOS rules, while the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has filed a petition with FMCSA to reconsider the sleeper-berth provision.