5 March 2004

Enforcement of New US Hours of Service Rules Begins Today

The following article is excerpted from the Ontario Trucking Association on 4 March 2004.

U.S. Transportation Secretary… Mineta … announced that state officials are being asked to begin enforcement of the new hours of service rules starting today [ie 4 March].

Since Jan. 4, 2004, the FMCSA [Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration] and state officials have led an aggressive educational enforcement program designed to teach drivers about the new rules and ensure flagrant violations were rigorously enforced….

FMCSA is encouraging state officials, who conduct the majority of truck inspections, to begin enforcement of the hours of service rules following the 60-day educational period as they would any other FMCSA safety regulation. States are expected to begin enforcement as soon as their inspectors are fully prepared.