FMCSA opens comment period on EOBR rule

WASHINGTON — Comments from truckers and industry stakeholders are being accepted on the proposed regulation to mandate the use of electronic on-board recorders in the U.S.

The proposal, unveiled earlier this month to media and officially published last week in the Federal Register, would require carriers charged with two serious hours-of-service review violations in two years (with a rate of violation greater than 10%) to outfit their entire fleet with EOBRs, or formerly referred to as “black boxes.”

The proposal also offers incentives for carriers that voluntarily use EOBR technology.

With notice officially printed, the 90-day comment period is open until April 18. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will collect all comments and based on those suggestions with either immediately publish a final rule or revise its proposal.

Comments can be submitted anonymously. All submissions must include the agency name and docket number, FMCSA-2004-18940.

To submit completed comments, you can: Visit dms.dot.gov/submit/dspSubmission.cfm and follow instructions; Fax to: (202) 493-2251; or Mail to: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh St. SW, Nassif Building Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-0001.

Click on the Related Stories links below for original coverage of the issue and be sure to check out upcoming print February issue for in-depth analysis and industry reaction to the rule.