Bush Administration's Illegal Rule Makes Roads Less Safe, Court Told [View All]

Source: Sun Herald

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 --
The Bush administration broke the law again when it reinstated an hours-of-service rule that is making highways more dangerous, safety advocates told the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on Thursday.

The Teamsters Union joined Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety and Public Citizen in fighting the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) interim final rule issued in violation of a court order in December.

The rule, which was twice thrown out by the court, allows truck drivers to drive for 11 hours, one more hour than they were allowed previously. It allows them to work as many as 84 hours a week, which could lead to dangerous fatigue.

"The Bush administration has no shame about breaking the law," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. "This hours-of-service rule is as lawless as opening the border to unsafe Mexican trucks, but they just don't think the law applies to them.



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