The Department of Transportation (DOT) has agreed to issue a series of truck safety rules that apply to drivers, hours-of-service, hazardous materials, background checks for drivers, and training requirements for multi-trailer rigs, according to information from Public Citizen. This agreement comes after a lawsuit filed by Public Citizen and other highway safety advocates.
According to Public Citizen information, DOT has agreed to issue final rules pertaining to:
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Truck driver fatigue and required rest periods, hours-of-service, and other fatigue-related issues; no later than May 31, 2003.
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Minimum training standards for entry-level drivers of commercial motor vehicles; by May 31, 2004.
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Minimum training requirements for drivers of longer combination vehicles (multi-trailer rigs); no later than March 30, 2004.
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Requirements for authorization to transport hazardous materials; by June 30, 2004.
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Background checks for new commercial drivers, including what information prospective employers are required to obtain and what information prior employers are required to provide; no later than March 30, 2004.