WASHINGTON, D. C. – The American Trucking Associations (ATA) has welcomed the Interim Final Rule on drivers’ Hours-of-Service, which was issued Dec. 11 by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).The rule retains the key components of the 2004 rule (11 hour driving day and 34 hour reset), which ATA has supported. ATA officials say that in just four years, that rule has led to significant decreases in the number of fatal large truck crashes, the fatal large truck crash rate, the number of injuries from truck-involved crashes, and the injury crash rate.

“FMCSA has made an important contribution to highway safety by keeping in force Hours-of-Service rules that have led to a reduction in deaths and injuries over the last several years,” said ATA president and CEO Bill Graves.

The new rule reflects the scientific research that shows that the comprehensive regulations in effect since 2004 (except for a change in sleeper berth regulations in October 2005) promote driver alertness and enhance safety. The FMCSA cited data collected by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute that showed there is no increase in crash risk in the 11th hour of driving. The Interim Final Rule is in effect while the agency collects additional data on the safety impact of the two challenged provisions.