Press Release

ATA鈥檚 Statement Opposing FMCSA鈥檚 Move to Create Patchwork of Meal and Rest Break Rules

Aug 11, 2023

Washington 鈥 Today, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that it would consider petitions for waivers from the agency鈥檚 2018 determination that California meal and rest break rules were preempted with respect to commercial drivers subject to federal hours-of-service regulations, and from its similar determination in 2020 regarding Washington State鈥檚 break rules.

In response, 黑料不打烊 President & CEO Chris Spear issued this statement opposing FMCSA鈥檚 action:

鈥淓nsuring a singular, national standard of work rules for professional drivers is crucial to both safety and the supply chain. 听Congress first addressed this issue decades ago by passing F4A, and the USDOT鈥檚 authority to pre-empt state rules was unanimously reaffirmed in a 2021 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

鈥淔ederal law already mandates rest breaks for drivers. 听Unnecessary and duplicative state laws are not grounded in safety and have been primarily enforced via private lawsuits designed to extort the trucking industry. 听Opening the door to this spurious litigation once again would impair the safe and efficient movement of interstate goods.

鈥満诹喜淮蜢萯s fully prepared to oppose this effort that would result in a confusing patchwork of regulations. 听We will leverage all of our Federation鈥檚 resources to stop this in its tracks.鈥