Overdrive

April 2017 | Overdrive | 13 The results of a congressio- nally mandated study led the U.S. Department of Trans- portation to confirm that truckers' 34-hour restarts will not require two 1-5 a.m. periods and be limited to once per week. Congress suspended the re- start limitations in December 2014, pending the issuance of the study. DOT's report released last month shows the restart provisions did nothing to enhance safety, and the report did not change current rules for truckers. DOT's Office of Inspec- tor General sent Congress a letter March 2 signing off on the study, saying it agreed with the report's conclusions and that DOT followed Con- gress' directives in complet- ing the research. A few days later, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration posted a notice on its website stating that the restart rules would not go back into effect. The study found that truckers abiding by the July 1, 2013 regulations – those requiring the early-morning periods to be included in the restart – operated no more safely than truckers not abid- ing by the rules. The more restrictive hours of service rule took effect in July 2013, prompting widespread criticism from both fleets and drivers for preventing truckers from returning to duty until 5 a.m. after a restart, even if the restart had spanned a full 34 hours. One of the chief argu- Restart study affirms status quo on hours regs ments against the regulations was that it pushed drivers into ear- ly-morning rush-hour traffic, which fleets and drivers argued increased safety and operational problems. Another criticism was that FMCSA issued the rule with little scientific evidence to back up the restrictions. – James Jaillet 1-800 GET HOWES (438-4693) www.howeslube.com A Cool Engine is a Happy Engine. And a happy engine has its benefits: peak performance, more power and less maintenance. Howes Oil Enhancer lowers operating temperature keeping your engine cool. It not only extends the life of your oil – it also reduces metal-on-metal wear and protects internal engine components. Use it at every oil change as part of the ultimate Howes preventive maintenance program. From the trusted makers of Howes Diesel Treat and Meaner Power Kleaner. C M Y CM MY CY CMY K HowesOverdrive_HalfPageIsland_S17_OE.pdf 1 1/26/17 11:51 AM Untitled-3 1 2/3/17 9:38 AM

• Cover
• DON’T PLAY WITH KNIVES: Wendy Parker’s trucker husband, George, says cutting bread while rolling isn’t a sharp move. Page 6.
• COVER STORY: ELD Buyers’ Guide
• 26 Niche hauling: Traveling events
• 31 Overdrive’s Most Beautiful: The Top 10
• 36 Drive Test: ‘Better and smarter’: Volvo SuperTruck achievements in weight, aerodynamics and visibility pave the way for tomorrow’s design.
• 4 A full-court press over ELDs, hours.
• 5 Pulse: A buyers’ market for used trucks.
• 8 Novel honors the community of travelers.
• 10 Saying no to first-come first-served abuse.
• 11 “Arbitrary” training time better than none.
• 12 A weak 2016: Miles up, income down.
• 12 Landstar contractor named year’s top owner-operator.
• 13 Restart study affirms status quo on hours regs.
• 16 Safety fitness rule pulled after industry pushback.
• 18 Jim Palmer trucker named Goodyear Highway Hero.
• 38 Couple’s ’17 W900 Icon designed to honor military.
• 40 Reader Rigs: ’05 VNL 780 has a far-out paint job; ’90 379 a custom heavy hauler; ’16 Lonestar a forklift hauler; resurrected ’95 379.
• 24 BUSINESS Autonomous truck race heats up.
• 42 Gear Guide Engine, alternators, LED lights, more.
• 48 FLEET NEWS Schneider giving tanker O-O’s a choice.
• 60 5 APPS FOR THAT Finding the best fuel stop near you.