State Associations Offer HOS Advice

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ith new rules governing driver work hours looming, some state trucking executives said there is a great deal of uncertainty among drivers and fleets about what the new rules mean, but they intend to help members deal with it.

The new rules increase the time a driver can spend behind the wheel after a rest period to 11 hours, from 10 hours, but trim the total time he or she can work to 14 straight hours, from 15 hours, before another rest period. They take effect Jan. 4.

Texas Motor Transportation Association President Bill Webb said some carriers and shippers are just coming to realize that the changes could have a significant impact on the business of hauling freight by truck.

“Only now are they looking at this and saying ‘Oh my God, this means something,’ ” Webb said.

This article appears in the Dec. 15 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.

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