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news release

P.O. Box 600
Trenton, NJ
Contact: Steve Schapiro or Kevin Israel
609-530-4280
RELEASE: December 10, 2014


NJDOT Commissioner opposes
suspension of federal rules regulating
truckers' hours behind the wheel

Fox says current regulations improve safety

 

(Trenton) - New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Jamie Fox today said he opposes a proposal being considered by Congress that would suspend the rules governing when truckers can take extended breaks.

Currently, truckers can drive for 11 hours a day and a maximum of 60 hours per week in a seven-day period. If the proposed suspension goes through, truckers could be on the road for as long as 80 hours in one week.

“The suspension of these rules puts every motorist on the road at risk,” said Fox. “As our economy improves we are seeing more trucks on our highways. This could lead to those willing to push the limits and endanger other drivers. The current rules were implemented after years of study and consideration, I see no valid reason to suspend them and increase the chance for accidents”

Senator Cory Booker has been amongst those opposing the suspension. He joined a contingent of Senators who recently sent a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid voicing their opinion. In part, the letter said:

“America’s truckers work long grueling hours to deliver foods across the nation. They are a vital part of our economy, and we owe it to these workers and the people driving on our roads to ensure that fact-based science-driven policies are in place, rather than throwing out the rules to put profits over safety.”

“I agree with Senator Booker,” said Fox. “We have had a number of high profile crashes involving large trucks recently, reinforcing such accidents’ lethal nature. Suspending the current regulation wouldn’t just be irresponsible, it could be deadly.”
 
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  Last Updated:  December 11, 2014