The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is proposing a pilot program to allow temporary regulatory relief from the hours of service rule. The Split Duty Period Pilot Program would let participating drivers with a CDL pause their 14 hour on duty period with one off duty period of at least 30 minutes but no more than 3 hours. South Dakota Stock Grower’s Association Executive Director James Halverson says this temporary change could be somewhat helpful but a permanent fix for livestock haulers is still needed.
He says livestock haulers must have the ability to transport their animals safely and can’t be expected to stop in the middle of that shipment.
Halverson says whatever the FMSCA comes up with, both the health of the drivers and animals must be taken into account.
The FMCSA’s pilot program could last up to three years and there will be a 60 day public comment period on the plan.
