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Plan to Increase Driving Hours Draws Criticism

June 22, 2000

Groups contend that giving truckers more continuous driving hours\r\nwill increase highway deaths.

Senators, highway safety organizations, victims and survivors of fatigue-related truck crashes on Tuesday called on the Department of Transportation (DOT) to modify the new proposed rule on bus and truck driver hours of service.

While supporting some aspects of the proposed rule, these groups expressing alarm about the increase in maximum continuous drive time from 10 to 12 hours. Sens. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Max Cleland, D-Ga., joined Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, Public Citizen, Parents Against Tired Truckers, and Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways in calling for aggressive reform of current hours of service regulations, which have been in place since the 1930s.

"Driving a truck is one of the most deadly occupations in the United States," said Joan Claybrook, president of Public Citizen. "Increasing the consecutive driving hours for truck drivers is inhumane and rolls us back to pre-Depression era working conditions. This dangerous proposal will result in a dramatic increase in the risk of crashes."

In 1999, more than 5,200 people were killed and 127,000 injured in crashes involving large trucks, which are also more likely to be involved in pileups. DOT research shows that driver fatigue may be a factor in up to 15 percent of all heavy truck crashes.

by Todd Nighswonger

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.