Why does the HOS rule need to be changed?
Promotes Fatigue – The current rule actually encourages sleep-deprived, overworked truck drivers whose level of alertness and resulting poor driving performance behind the wheel becomes dangerous both to themselves and others who share the roads with large trucks. Without reform of the HOS rule, fatigued, sleep-deprived commercial drivers will continue to be a direct cause of hundreds of highway deaths and tens of thousands of serious injuries in motor vehicle crashes each year. Increased Crash Risk Exposure – The rule encourages excessively long driving and duty times in a 24-hour period, and inadequate time for sleep, recreation, and normal activities, including family life. Unrealistic Driving Schedules and High Violation Rates – The rule encourages carriers, shippers, and consignees (receivers) to set delivery schedules which can only be met by violations of driving time, total duty time, and minimum rest time requirements, combined with speeding, which drivers attempt to conceal b
