Agricultural Carriers Dispute HOS Study

Trucking interests are disputing government claims that exemptions to hours-of-service regulations for carriers of agricultural commodities make those carriers less safe.

An analysis by an independent consultant hired by the American Trucking Associations found that eliminating exemptions from the rules for agricultural carriers would likely have “little measurable effect” on short-haul truck safety.

Under current HOS rules, carriers hauling agricultural commodities and farm supplies within a 100-mile radius from the distribution point during the planting and harvesting season are exempt.

Previous studies conducted by Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, concluded carriers exempt from HOS rules had a higher crash rate than carriers not exempt. The study also concluded that agricultural carriers had higher violations for unsafe driving, vehicle maintenance, and improper cargo loading.

ATA pointed out that an amendment to the federal highway bill passed in 2005, which created the exemption, was overwhelmingly supported by Congress by a 257-167 vote.

“This exemption provides the flexibility that is essential for American agriculture to get crops in and out of the field and provide us with the food, fiber and biofuels that are part of our daily lives,” said Russell Laird, executive director of the ATA’s Agricultural and Food Transporters Conference.

Contact John Gallagher at jgallagher@joc.com.