The deadline to submit comments on changes to the hours of service (HOS) rules is Oct. 21, and ARA is calling on its members to take action.
The association says the proposed reform to hours of service (HOS) by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will improve safety and flexibility for commercial drivers.
“These reforms, including the short haul exemption expansion for CDL drivers to 150 air miles and the expansion of duty hours from 12 to 14 hours, will provide necessary flexibility for ARA members to meet the needs of their customers without adversely impacting transportation safety,” ARA Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Counsel Richard Gupton said. (Hear more in the podcast embedded at the top of this article)
FMCSA’s proposed rule offers five key revisions to existing HOS rules such as requiring a minimum of a 30-minute break for each eight hours of consecutive driving and allowing drivers to use the “on duty, not driving” status rather than the “off duty” status during breaks.
It is estimated that this proposal will save American consumers and the U.S. economy an estimated $274 million and improve safety for all drivers on the Nation’s roadways, according to a FMCSA news release.
The FMCSA is encouraging everyone to review and comment on this proposal within the 45-day public comment period.
