Keep fatigued truckers off the busy roadways
An editorial opinion from the Lima News in Ohio:
During a period when semi-truck crash fatalities exploded past 4,000 for the first time in seven years, legislation could sneak past Congress that would allow more fatigued truck drivers on the road.
The scenario occurs as lawmakers debate a bill to keep the federal government open after the current continuing resolution expires on Friday. Lobbyists for the trucking industry will be attempting to use this must-pass funding bill to attach policy anomalies that have nothing to do with funding, but have everything to do with rolling back, weakening and repealing truck safety protections, says the watchdog group, Governmental Affairs Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.
The “tired trucker” provision being pushed by trucking industry lobbyists seeks to repeal a requirement for drivers to take a 34-hour break once a week – including two stints between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
If anything, Congress should be taking action to improve driving and working conditions for truck drivers.
For the sake of all motorists, Congress cannot fall asleep at the wheel as the special trucking interests troll the hallways of Capitol Hill attempting to strip the safety protections.