FMCSA Delays Implementation Of Driver Training Rule

The implementation of a regulation that deals with how commercial vehicle operators in Connecticut and around the country are trained has been delayed for at least 60 days according to a statement released on Feb. 1 by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The announcement comes in the wake of a Jan. 20 memorandum from the White House ordering federal agencies to put all new rules on hold for 60 days.

President Trump has vowed to cut red tape and says that he needs time to review pending government regulations, and the FMCSA admits that the Minimum Training Requirements for Entry-Level Commercial Vehicle Operators rule could face further delays if the new administration raises objections to it. The rule was originally scheduled to go into effect on Feb. 6 after being published in the Federal Register in December.

While the delay may be seen as a setback by road safety groups, they are unlikely to raise too many objections. This is because the rule, if it is implemented, will only apply to truck operators who earn their commercial driver’s licenses on or after Feb. 7, 2020. However, the actual provisions of the rule have been criticized. The regulation sets a core curriculum for classroom training and establishes a national register of certified trainers, but it does not require trainee truck drivers to spend a specified number of hours behind the wheel.

Personal injury attorneys familiar with vehicle accident cases may support regulatory efforts that are designed to improve road safety. The injuries caused by semi truck crashes are often extremely serious in nature to occupants in other vehicles, and attorneys may call upon medical experts before initiating legal actions on behalf of accident victims. Specialists could be consulted to ensure that the amount of compensation being sought is sufficient to cover the costs of long-term medical treatment and rehabilitation.