Mandatory electronic on-board recorders and a number of other truck driver safety related regulations are among the highway reauthorization proposal announced last week by Rep. James Oberstar and other leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.


In their "Blueprint for Investment and Reform," the Minnesota Democrat and his Republican colleagues propose far-reaching changes in the structure and management of the highway program. They envision a $450 billion investment over six years, a 38 percent increase over the current program, plus an additional $50 billion for high speed rail. But the blueprint goes well beyond highway funding issues and addresses commercial motor vehicle safety, as well.

For instance, the proposal "requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations to require all commercial motor vehicles used by a motor carrier subject to the Secretary's hours of service regulations to be equipped with EOBRs."

An EOBR rule has been in the works at the DOT for some time, with a proposed rule issued early in 2007 that would have required only companies with a history of serious hours-of-service violations to install the devices. A final rule that was expected to go even further was put on hold after the Obama administration took office in January and ordered all federal agencies and departments to stop any pending regulations until they could be reviewed by incoming staff.

The proposal also includes the following driver safety moves:
* Require the DOT to establish a clearinghouse of positive drug and alcohol test results and refusals to test by commercial drivers;
* Require the DOT to, within two years, establish minimum training requirements for commercial motor vehicle drivers, including behind-the-wheel instruction; and
* Requires the establishment of the National Registry of Medical Examiners with one year.

For a copy of the entire "blueprint" in PDF format, click here.