“New federal rules that limit truckers to 70-hour work weeks are bad for the economy”. I do not understand. By John Hendrie

Just like every other harried driver, I watch those highway behemoths steam along, cluttering my lanes and spewing noxious fumes.  Of course, I am sipping my coffee, fiddling with the radio dial, making a phone call, absently watching the passing landscape, avoiding pedestrians, hub caps, “road kill” and the like, always driving defensively.  But, the truckers prevail.

So, I was surprised to read that the Feds have recommended (law due in July 2013), that this Transportation industry, much like Health Care with Medical Residents and the Airlines with Pilots, must provide some further time off.  As Jon Gold with the NRF (National Retail Federation) suggested, “New federal rules that limit truckers to 70-hour work weeks are bad for the economy.  NRF believes that these changes will drive up retailer transportation costs and make trucking less safe due to the fact that more trucks will have to be added onto our already congested roadways to make up for those drivers on mandatory breaks". Really!

For us in the Hospitality Industry, most of our deliveries are made in the morning, particularly our perishables and food stuffs.  Dry goods arrive scattered throughout the day.  I remember this pattern as a former Receiving Clerk/Assistant Purchaser at the Mt. Washington Hotel, Bretton Woods, NH (admittedly, not your most easily reached destination or easy route).  Truckers are our Lifeline!

The government in their wisdom has retained the existing 11 hour drive day, although recommending a rest break within the first 8 hours on the road and two consecutive nights off before the restart of a driving week.  Hmm!  Driving a car, I am pretty well spent after four hours and continually need to prime my pump with coffee, bathroom breaks, a burger, etc.  These road warriors certainly deserve some relief.  I mean, 70 hour work weeks – how many in America or anywhere else work those hours consistently.

The NRF goes further with their reasoning.  “The rule would not improve safety (as intended) but potentially make trucking less safe because more trucks would have to be added on the roads during the busiest daytime hours in order to make up for lost productivity and reduced driving times.”  Hmm, again.  So, there would be no impact on road and driver safety with better rested and energized Truck Drivers, because their companies will be pushing to make up for lost productivity.  Isn’t that the name of the game already?  Push-shove!

We need to think about this a little more, starting with that 11 hour day and 70 hour work week, which is very impressive.  None of us want more trucks on the road or our deliveries rescheduled or impacted, but this does sound like “crying wolf”.  These macadam matadors already face sufficient trials on the road.  Just visit any Truck Stop across the country to see just how glamorous their careers are.  Give’m a break!