U.S. Department of Transportation
Office of Public Affairs
Washington, D.C.
www.dot.gov/affairs/briefing.htm

FMCSA 08-04
Friday, July 16, 2004
Contact: Bill MacLeod, (202) 366-5971

Statement of
Annette M. Sandberg, Administrator
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Regarding a Decision by the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

The Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) have received the court's decision. With assistance from the Department of Justice, we are currently reviewing the opinion to determine possible next steps.

Under the court's rules of procedure, the Department has 45 days to review the decision and decide whether to seek other legal remedies. During that period of time, the current hours of service rule, announced in April, 2003, remains in effect.

FMCSA will advise Federal authorities and State law enforcement partners of their responsibility to continue compliance with the current rule. FMCSA will advise major industry associations to educate motor carriers and drivers of the continued need for HOS compliance.

The Hours of Service rule is important to commercial vehicle safety and is the first major re-write of the HOS rules in more than 60 years.

Questions relating to the litigation should be referred to the Department of Justice.

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