New rules require more rest for truck drivers

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Eyewitness News has learned there's a new push to protect drivers on interstates.

Truck driver Francisco Ramirez told Eyewitness News he was driving from California to Florida on Wednesday. He admitted he's been tired behind the wheel in the past.

"Having family at home and knowing that other families are out here, I take the rest I need," Ramirez said.

The United States Department of Transportation wants to make sure other truckers do, too. The agency is changing the requirements for rest from a maximum 82 hours of driving in seven days down to 70 hours.

Drivers must take a half-hour break if they're on the road for eight hours or more and must have 34 hours of off-time each week.

Almost 9,000 trucks come through the weigh stations off Interstate 85 in Charlotte every day, and troopers are required to make sure drivers are rested.

Trooper Darren Conrad, who checks drivers' rest logs for the past week, said he has seen drivers falsify rest reports. Conrad said that behavior may save time but could cost lives.

"Your average five-axle truck comes through here weighing between 60,000 to 80,000 pounds, easy. If that hits a driver, there is no hope," Conrad said.

Some trucking companies, like Charlotte-based International Express, oppose the rules.

"When you look at the bottom line, which is what a small company does, it affects the bottom line in a negative manner," said owner Howard Shope. "It's increasing cost without increasing revenue."

Shope said adding two more drivers topped with North Carolina's fuel tax and environmental rules will affect his company's overall profit.

Drivers in violation will receive warnings until the rules officially take effect in the summer of 2013. Then, they could be fined close to $3,000 and the trucking companies could be forced to pay as much as $11,000.

More information: New rules and regulations (PDF)

WSOC