More than 30 lawmakers are pushing the FMCSA to give truck drivers hours-of-service relief faster, especially right before a big storm or other disaster is expected to hit.
What’s new: In a letter sent June 10, the group of lawmakers asked FMCSA to set up rules so hours of service (HOS) breaks would automatically kick in at least 5 days before a predicted emergency. That way, truckers could help get fuel, supplies, and emergency goods where they’re needed—without getting tangled up in red tape.
- They also want the FMCSA to make the rules the same across regions, not just state by state. Having different rules in each state causes confusion and slows down how quickly relief can move.
- Fuel marketers and heating oil suppliers especially need flexibility in disaster times to keep gas stations and homes stocked up ahead of a storm.
Rep. Mike Bost, who grew up in a trucking family, said, “Red tape and delays at the federal level often make it harder for truckers to do their jobs and deliver their product when it matters most.”
Rep. Mike Collins added, “When disaster strikes, our fueling stations need to be supplied and ready to provide first responders and everyone in the impacted zone with the power they need to recover and rebuild,” according to an Energy Marketers of America report.
For now, FMCSA is being urged to take up these changes so truckers can get supplies moving faster and help Americans prepare before the worst hits.