WACONIA, Minn. — A coalition of U.S. shippers is wants the government to pull the current hours-of-service out of Limbo and release a new proposal immediately.

Mike Regan, chairman of NASSTRAC, said the uncertainty surrounding what the new rules will be is stalling economic growth.

He said that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration should publish its proposal now to allow public comment and debate.

"The elections are now over," said Regan, "and we are still waiting for FMCSA’s proposal."

"How can motor carriers create business plans, make capital investments or hire drivers when they have no idea what rules will apply in 2012 and beyond?"

"It is imperative for the Obama Administration and FMCSA to stop sitting on the HOS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Let the HOS debate begin."

A first draft of the proposal is expected to be completed by late November.

About a year ago, the FMCSA responded to pressure by trade unions and special interest groups and announced it would rewrite parts of the HOS rule.

The industry is still awaiting the details. It’s rumored that the 11-hour driving time and 34-hour restart provisions could be affected.

Highway fatalities have dropped significantly under the current rules, NASSTRAC points out.

"Despite these facts, certain groups want to see a reduction in the hours a driver can work," says NASSTRAC, which says it would join carriers in opposing any reduction in allowable driving hours. "This will have a significant impact on trucking companies and what a truck driver can earn."