FMI Urges Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Not to Finalize Hours-of-Service Regulations

ARLINGTON, VA — February 17, 2011 — The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) issued the following statement from Director of Government Relations Ty Kelley on today’s listening session on the proposed rulemaking regarding Hours-of-Service (HOS) requirements for commercial motor vehicle drivers by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration:

“Nearly every product found on grocery store shelves is delivered by commercial motor vehicles. Grocery stores are open 365 days of the year, with many keeping their doors open 24 hours a day. Because customers expect to find store shelves fully stocked with a wide variety of products, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, truck deliveries occur at all hours as stores continuously receive and restock products.

If the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) decide to finalize the HOS regulations, it may impact food prices, hurt productivity and efficiency at supermarkets, and add to the already congested roadways of America. Reducing the number of deliveries to grocery stores will mean shortages on store shelves which will certainly be unacceptable to our customers.

The current HOS rules are working and do not need to be changed. Since the rules were put in place seven years ago, fatalities and injuries involving large trucks have declined by more than one-third, the lowest level recorded since the DOT began collecting data. Clearly, no change is needed in the HOS regulations and we strongly urge FMCSA withdraw the proposed rules.”