Friday, Dec. 16 is the deadline for public comments on the U.S. Postal Service’s request for an hours-of-service exemption for truckers who haul mail under contract.
USPS is asking the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that its contract carriers be allowed to operate under the hours rule in effect before Jan. 4, 2004. According to the Nov. 16 Federal Register, USPS says drivers would be as safe or safer under the old rule because contract drivers would be able to return home at the end of each workday rather than stay away from home overnight.
USPS said its contract motor carriers conduct short-haul operations with an average delivery route of 61 miles roundtrip. USPS contracts with more than 5,000 motor carriers, according to the Register .
Public comments may be submitted by Friday, Dec. 16 though this website; faxed to 202-493-2251; or mailed to Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh St. S.W., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, D.C. 20590-0001. Submissions must include the agency name and docket number: FMCSA-2005-22660.
