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Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users

Date: March 9, 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Transportation


TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT: A LEGACY FOR USERS -- (House of Representatives - March 09, 2005)

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Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Chairman, I rise to oppose the Boozman amendment. This amendment is an unwise attempt by special interests to interfere in an ongoing regulatory and legal process. It is designed to further erode safety on America's highways while rewarding companies such as Wal Mart.

In April 2003 the Transportation Department promulgated a rule that gives truckers substantially more time on the road. Among other features, the rule allows truck drivers to log as many as 14 consecutive hours driving. This is an unsafe schedule, and it is little wonder that the truckers and highway safety advocates were united in their opposition to this rule. It is also little wonder that the D.C. Court of Appeals found the rule ``arbitrary and capricious because the agency neglected to consider a statutorily mandated factor--the impact of the rule on the health of drivers.'' As a result, DOT is now reviewing this rule in a public, transparent proceeding.

Now we are considering an amendment that would eliminate the one safety enhancement included in that 2003 rule. This amendment would allow truckers to deduct meal time and other short ``break periods'' from their time on the road, essentially allowing them to drive 16 consecutive hours. And once again, the truck drivers and highway safety advocates are united in their opposition.

The legal effect of this amendment is simply to lengthen the work day for truckers and shorten their rest time, without providing any improvement for safety. In fact, all the amendment does is create a loophole to extend the workday of short-haul truckers--not provide them with the opportunity for real rest.

Mr. Chairman, I support the underlying legislation, in part because one of the goals of the Interstate Highway System is to improve safety on our roads. This amendment goes in the opposite direction, and I therefore oppose its adoption.

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