Obama Administration Decides Against Lowering Trucker Daily Hours

[The Straight Story]

Obama Administration Decides Against Lowering Trucker Daily Hours

The Obama administration decided against a cut in truckers’ daily hours behind the wheel, to the dismay of safety advocates, but made other changes aimed at fighting driver fatigue.

The rule issued last Thursday continues to permit drivers to be on the road for up to 11 hours daily, something favored by the trucking industry, but would reduce by 12 hours the maximum number of hours a driver can work within a week to 70 hours.

A 34-hour gap between the end of one week and the start of another remains unchanged, under the new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rule. But truckers cannot drive after working eight hours without first taking a break of at least 30 minutes.

The rule takes effect in 18 months and would apply to the operations of companies like FedEx Corp., UPS Inc. and YRC Worldwide.

http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2011/12/27/228653.htm

[Modern_Matthew]

1. No one should have to work over 30 hours a week. Period. nt

[one_voice]

2. Really?...

Last edited Tue Dec 27, 2011, 07:00 PM - Edit history (1)

If I may ask, is the 30 hours based on something in particular--like a study being done that shows this is optimal?

My husband works 65+ hours a week, and I think that's crazy ridiculous. He's salaried so he gets NO overtime. That being said, I'm ok with a 40-45 hour work week as a whole, OT if needed occasionally and if it's compensated.


Edited to add: I wasn't being a smart ass...I was genuinely curious. Other countries have mandatory amounts of vacation that you must take..because it's better for both employee and employer.

You on the other hand were being...

[leftyohiolib]

3. Really?...

"I'm ok with a 40-45 hour work week as a whole".... 'is the 40-45 hours based on something in particular--like a study being done that shows this is optimal?"

[one_voice]

5. No...

it's based on our current system...the one UNIONS help fight for.

Mkay?

[ZenLefty]

4. I don't think this sets a minimum of hours they are required to drive.

No one is forcing any trucker to drive for 31 hours per week if they don't wish to. This is talking about maximum allowable hours for safety reasons.

[Kermitt Gribble]

7. That's true for owner operators.

Company drivers, not so much - they pretty much work whenever the company tells them to work.

[snagglepuss]

6. WTF! 70 hours. That is 10 hours a day, 7 days a week.

THat is effing slavery.

[Zalatix]

8. That's effing deadly

for the rest of us who have to drive on the same roads as these drivers.