CVSA to Urge FMCSA to Limit Truck Driver Conveyance Time

Commercial vehicle inspectors are raising concerns over the rising misuse of personal conveyance time by truck drivers, revealing that 38% of drivers improperly use this time during roadside inspections. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) plans to petition the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to establish stricter regulations, including a limit of two hours for personal conveyance in a day. Data indicates that drivers who misuse personal conveyance are significantly more likely to be involved in accidents and face higher out-of-service rates. The CVSA's proposal aims to clarify regulations surrounding personal conveyance to enhance safety and reduce exploitation of loopholes that allow drivers to exceed hours-of-service limits, particularly during unexpected or emergency situations.

Expert opinion in transportation emphasizes that the proposed limitations are critical not just for compliance, but also for promoting safety on the roads. Clear definitions and restrictions can reduce the risk of fatigued driving, a significant factor in many trucking accidents. Providing drivers with concise guidelines about permissible personal activities and the use of their time would help ensure they are not inadvertently overextending their hours or misclassifying their driving status, thereby ultimately benefiting the entire transportation ecosystem.