Thursday, October 29, 2009
FMCSA agrees to review hours-of-service regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration agreed to review and reconsider its 2008 final rule (.pdf file) on hours of service for drivers, according to a settlement agreement filed Oct. 26 with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
The Washington-based advocacy group Public Citizen and other organizations challenged the rule for a third time in March, alleging it is based on studies and data that do not prove a link between reduced fatalities and any HOS regimen.
Public Citizen on Oct. 27 released a copy of the agreement (.pdf file), which states FMCSA will submit a notice of proposed rulemaking to the Office of Management and Budget for approval within nine months of the settlement date. Motions to govern further proceedings must be filed within 30 days of publication of the NPRM in the Federal Register.
The Arlington, VA-based American Trucking Associations released a statement reaffirming its stance that HOS regulations have worked to improve the industry's safety performance, and said its members plan to participate in the upcoming rulemaking process.