According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatal truck crashes have been on the rise, with 3,912 deaths recorded in 2012. And according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a leading cause of those accidents is driver fatigue.
Those statistics have prompted federal action that could impact your moving company drivers – and your bottom line.
These rules prompted the FMCSA’s U.S. hours-of-service (HOS) rules for truck drivers, which went into effect in July of 2013. How has the rule impacted moving company drivers? For some, it means less time on the road every week – especially long-haul operators. Truckers can still drive 11 hours and work 14 hours a day, but there are changes to the 34-hour “restart” rule. The new HOS rules:
• Require truck drivers to take a 30-minute break during the first eight hours of a shift
• Limit the maximum average work week for truck drivers to 70 hours (down from 82)
• Allow truckers who reach the maximum 70 hours of driving time in a week to “restart” if they rest for 34 consecutive hours, including at least two nights from 1 to 5 a.m.
What are these new rules supposed to accomplish?
According to the FMCSA, the rules are estimated to prevent 1,400 crashes, 560 injuries, and 19 deaths every year. That could mean a savings of $280 million from fewer large truck crashes, and $470 million from drivers being in better health.
Do you agree?
Not everyone does. The rules have galvanized a coalition of opponents including drivers, trucking companies, politicians, and advocacy groups who argue that the changes won’t result in the health and safety benefits the FMCSA claims they will. And there’s widespread concern about the “unintended consequences” – a flood of trucks hitting the road during morning rush hour. That could be a recipe for even more accidents.
A bill currently in the Senate is attempting to change the 34-hour restart rule and no longer require the two consecutive 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. periods. But with the FMCSA vowing to stand their ground, the prospects of the bill becoming law anytime soon may be slim.
How do the HOS rules impact the moving industry?
The new HOS rules can impact many aspects of your operations – your drivers’ income, how long it takes to get your customers’ goods to their destination, and your shipping costs. You might even have a harder time finding and hiring quality drivers.
No matter how these rules ultimately affect your business, driver fatigue is a risk you need to take seriously.
That means your safety and risk management efforts are more vital than ever. And be sure to keep up with the latest developments in the HOS rules at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/HOS.
You also need an insurance partner who understands the risks of the road and knows how to protect you and your customers’ goods. For that, talk to the experts at Relocation Insurance – your moving insurance and storage insurance partners for more than a decade.
