Trucking Regulations Again Postponed

Connecticut truckers may not be surprised to learn about the postponement of two important regulations by the Department of Transportation. One seeks to mandate speed limiters on heavy trucks. The other, known as the Commercial Driver’s License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, consists of a record of all the truckers who did not pass an alcohol or drug test. Both rules have been repeatedly delayed.

In regards to the rule about speed limiters, officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration worked together to create this regulation, which would necessitate any truck more than 27,000 pounds to carry a speed governor device. However, the rule has been stalled in the White House’s Office of Management and Budget since May 2015. Although it was initially expected that the OMB would clear the rule April 22 and publish it April 28, the dates have been changed to “Spring 2016”, according to the DOT.

As for the drug and alcohol regulation, it was first expected to be sent to the OMB on April 18 and then published on July 28. However, the DOT reported the new dates would be May 6 and Aug. 16, respectively. The rule is intended to create a database of commercial driver’s license holders who have refused or failed a drug test. Then, the carriers would be required to send this information on a yearly basis to the FMCSA.

Accidents involving large trucks can result in serious and life-threatening injuries to others who are on the road at the time. If the accident occurred because the truck driver was speeding or impaired, those who were injured in the crash may want to have the help of an attorney in seeking compensation from the at-fault driver. If the driver was on the clock at the time, the trucking company could also be held responsible under the theory of vicarious liability.

Source: Overdrive Online, “DOT further delays speed limiter, drug/alcohol clearinghouse rules”, Matt Cole, April 15, 2016