Sandberg Says Hours Change to Reduce Deaths, Related Costs

Some Shippers Bemoan Added Business Expense

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RLINGTON, Va. — The head of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration told a major freight shippers’ group that the new driver hours-of-service rules would cut fatalities and related costs, but several audience members said the rules were raising their cost of doing business.

FMCSA Administrator Annette Sandberg, in remarks to a National Industrial Transportation League forum here March 22, said the first major changes in 60 years to federal driver workday regulations should result in 75 fewer truck-related deaths and 1,326 injuries each year, saving $628 million in related costs.

The rules took effect Jan. 4 and limit drivers to 14 consecutive hours on duty, with no more than 11 of them behind the wheel. The former rules allowed for 10 hours of driving after an eight-hour rest period.

When Sandberg took questions after her speech, audience members said the rules had resulted in higher costs such as freight rates and fees to reduce drivers’ time sitting idle.

For the full story, see the March 29 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.