American Trucking Associations supports 14/10 daily HOS cycle

ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov. 4, 1999) — The American Trucking Associations, the largest trucking industry lobby group in the U.S., endorsed the so-called “14/10” daily hours-of-work cycle for truck drivers yesterday, matching proposed daily limits in Canada.

The group’s board of directors formally decided to support the cycle that would allow 14 hours of working time followed by 10 hours of rest each day. The 24-hour clock would conform with circadian rhythms, the human body’s natural tendancies to need rest. The ATA proposal would eliminate the current distinction between driving time and other non-driving work time.

The 14/10 schedule is similar to what knowledgeable sources say is contained in the hours of service proposal being developed by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation. It is also the basis of a proposed new federal standard in Canada, expected to be endorsed by provincial regulators at a meeting next week in Halifax.

The ATA proposal would also limit drivers to 70 work hours over seven days. The association also asks that the DOT give carriers additional regulatory and operational flexibility if they develop and follow fatigue/alertness management programs.