It’s safety advocates v. DOT in long-disputed issue
A new battle in the long legal war over truckers’ hours of service (HOS) is taking place in a federal appellate court in Washington, D.C. today. Nonprofit consumer advocacy group Public Citizen is attempting to force the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to require what it calls “meaningful limits” on the hours truckers may drive – limits that Congress called for nearly 20 years ago, in an effort to improve transportation safety.
“After lengthy delay, the DOT did the opposite: It increased driving hours even though there is no safety benefit to allowing more tired truckers on the roads,” according to a statement by the group. “Twice before, the courts agreed with Public Citizen that the DOT’s rules did not comply with Congress’ safety mandate and struck down the rule.