Lines drawn in HOS fight

Get ready for another court battle — this time over the revised hours-of-service (HOS) rule that went into effect last year.

The American Trucking Assns. (ATA) recently filed a motion to intervene in response to a petition to review the 2005 rule, which was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit by Public Citizen and other safety groups, as well as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

Opponents are seeking a reduction in drivable hours. Public Citizen chided Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) for increasing the number of driving hours in a workday to 11 from 10. The groups are also likely to challenge the 34-hour restart, absence of an electronic onboard recorder (EOBR) mandate, and inadequate consideration of drivers' health issues.

ATA expects the Court briefing will be scheduled this summer, with oral arguments in the fall and a final decision in about a year.