Shippers Criticize DOT Hours Proposal

WASHINGTON — Shippers weighed in on behalf of trucking July 6 at the start of the final public hearing on the controversial hours-of-service proposal and lambasted the Department of Transportation’s work.

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Several food distribution shippers were among the dozens of witnesses urging DOT to scrap its proposal to limit drivers to 12 hours of work a day and to mandate a 10-hour rest period between shifts.

Perry Bourne, assistant vice president of IBP Transportation in Dakota City, Neb., said his $75 million annual freight costs could increase by as much as $50 million if the DOT proposal were enacted.

Much of the increase would come from carriers having to recruit and train additional drivers to offset the estimated 25% loss in productivity, Bourne said. The figure also included the increased spoilage from freshly-ground beef and pork that would sit in trucks while drivers take mandatory “weekend” rest breaks.

For the full story, see the July 10 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.