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NCBA: livestock haulers need flexibility

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says livestock haulers need flexibility when it comes to the hours-of-service rules.

Allison Rivera, director of government affairs for NCBA, says the current rules are too restrictive, but a split sleeper berth program would allow drivers to split up the required 10-hour rest break.

“Allowing these haulers to break up their rest period during sleeper berth program is a common sense industry-supported solution to fatigue and trip planning challenges,” she says. “The needs of livestock haulers are dictated not only by the rest needed by the driver but also the needs of the live animals they’re hauling.”

Rivera spoke during a listening session today on the U.S. Transportation Department’s proposed changes to the hours-of-service rules.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is also considering extending the current 14-hour on-duty limit by up to two hours in adverse driving conditions.

Kevin Kester, president of NCBA, says current regulations is incompatible with livestock hauling.

“Some livestock hauls can be concluded within the time frame outlined by hours of service regulations without significant stops which limit airflow,” he says. “However for livestock located in or heading to states outside of the middle of the country, this is not the case.”

The NCBA says flexibility is needed because livestock haulers are responsible for their safety AND the livestock they are transporting.

Today is the last day to submit comments to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on hours of service.

 

 

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