OOIDA calls new HOS rules "sorry"

April 24, 2003
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) believes that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) new hours-of-service rules will have minimal impact on driver fatigue. "After almost 65 years of working with regulatory controls that should have been declared obsolete decades ago, this is a pretty sorry excuse for a revision to address today’s problems," said president
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) believes that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) new hours-of-service rules will have minimal impact on driver fatigue.

"After almost 65 years of working with regulatory controls that should have been declared obsolete decades ago, this is a pretty sorry excuse for a revision to address today’s problems," said president Jim Johnston regarding the final rule FMCSA that was announced earlier today.

Johnston said that until truck drivers are no longer regularly pressured to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines, and no longer forced to perform uncompensated work for as many as 33 to 44 hours per week, will the industry see a significant reduction in fatigue issues.

Johnston said the association wants FMCSA, Dept. of Transportation (DOT) and Congress to understand the limited safety improvements that can be made through this rule.

Not until shippers and carriers stop pressuring drivers to break the rules, and drivers are paid for all the work they do, will the hours-of-service rules have their intended effect, Johnston said.

About the Author

Tim Parry

Tim Parry is a former FleetOwner editor. 

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

Downtime is expensive. This guide shows you how to keep your eet running, reduce repair surprises, and protect your margins—because when your trucks aren’t moving, you’re not...
Learn how fast oil changes can optimize vehicle downtime for fleet owners. Improve revenue and employee productivity while ensuring customer satisfaction with efficient maintenance...
Unlock proven strategies to streamline operations, lead your team, and keep your eet moving forward – all in one guide.
Commercial fleets bear a heavy burden from economic uncertainty, operational costs, and litigation risks. In-cabin video technology offers opportunities to reduce fleet expenses...