The recent rule changes for truckers are causing disruption among drivers. The new rules, which took effect in July, shorten the average workweek to 70 hours a week from 82, and require an electronic device that caps the vehicles' speed. The time between workweeks now must extend over two nights, including the hours between 1:00 and 5:00 a.m.
Although the new rules were promulgated to reduce fatigue and related crashes, the trucking industry research institute has found that the new rules limiting driving hours have actually increased fatigue for more than 66% of the drivers surveyed. The findings are the latest salvo in the battle over the hours-of-service rules among safety advocates, regulators and the trucking industry. The industry says the rule is too costly and possibly even dangerous because they put more trucks on the road during rush hour and drivers on the road when they are tired.
Fatalities in large truck crashes declined 26% in the decade ending in 2011, but according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, that is still too high. The agency analysis shows the change should prevent about 560 injuries and save 19 lives a year. While it seems that the trucking industry has a point, surely we can find a way to reduce trucking accidents
Source:http://online.wsj.com
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