A report from NJ.com examines the studies to be conducted and the regulations in place focusing on drowsy driving in the commercial transportation industry.
A provision in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, which renewed programs for roads, bridges, railroads and mass transit through 2020, required a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration study on long commutes by truck drivers.
Separate legislation funding the government through Sept. 30 suspended proposed new hours of service rules for truckers until the motor carrier administration conducted more study. Those rules initially were suspended in the spending bill for the last fiscal year. They would govern when and for how long a trucker must rest each week.
“It has a long tortuous history,” Hart said. “We’re always concerned when things take longer than they should.”
The safety board also called for an expanded use of collision avoidance systems on both cars and trucks. Some vehicles offer automatic braking systems, albeit at am extra cost that usually entails buying other high-priced options, Hart said.
“Seat belts are standard equipment,” Hart said. “The same should be true for collision avoidance technology.”
