AAJ Comments on Proposed Rule That Would Lead to Increase in Fatigue-Related Truck Crashes

Washington, DC — The American Association for Justice (AAJ) submitted comments today on the Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) for hours-of-service (HOS) for drivers of property-carrying commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Proposed changes to HOS rules that would increase driving time without a break would put the health and safety of CMV drivers at risk and leave the roads less safe for all drivers and passengers.

"With the current HOS, driver fatigue is a significant cause in truck crashes. Proposals to increase driving time without a break would only increase the likelihood of driver fatigue," said AAJ CEO Linda Lipsen. "We urge the agency to think of driver and US motorist safety when determining the amount of time drivers are on the road."

AAJ’s comments read, in part:

"The issue of truck driver fatigue made national news when comedian Tracy Morgan was critically injured, and a fellow comedian was killed when an 18-wheeler truck crashed into their van on the New Jersey turnpike. The NTSB determined that the accident was caused by driver fatigue, the driver had been on-duty for 13 and half hours before the accident occurred. The safety of motorists and the trucking workforce should not be compromised by commercial trucking corporations’ attempts to force exhausting hours on CMV drivers."

AAJ’s full comments are available here.

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The American Association for Justice works to preserve the constitutional right to trial by jury and to make sure people have a fair chance to receive justice through the legal system when they are injured by the negligence or misconduct of others—even when it means taking on the most powerful corporations. Visit http://www.justice.org. 

CONTACT Carly Moore Sfregola Email: Carly.Sfregola@justice.org Phone: 202-684-9609