New Hours of Service will become effective January 4, 2004

 Simply stated:

• Drivers may drive up to 11 hours during a 14 hour on duty period. (Once a driver has reached 14 hours on duty he is done driving.)
  

• The 14 hour duty period may not be extended with off-duty time for meals, fuel stops, unload time, etc. (Once you punch in, you are on duty until you punch out at the end of the day.)
  

• Each duty period must be preceded by 10 consecutive hours off duty.
  

• Maximum on duty hours is: 60 hours in 7 consecutive days, or 70 hours in 8 consecutive days. Drivers can “restart” the 7/8-day period by taking at least 34 consecutive hours off-duty. (Construction materials and equipment operations can “restart” after 24 consecutive hours off-duty.)
  

• 100 air mile radius exemption: If a driver returns to the same location that he left from within 12 hours, and has not exceeded the 100 air mile radius from that location, the driver does not have to keep a log book, a time card can be used instead of a logbook. (If a logbook is not used, the driver can only be on duty 12 hours instead of 14 hours.)
  

• Iowa Intrastate Exemption (In state only): Straight trucks hauling construction materials and not hauling for hire are exempt from the Hours of Service if they operate intrastate only and are at least 18 years old.
  

• Anyone not running under the Intrastate exemption must have a DOT Physical.

I would like to thank all of our drivers for having a much safer year then last year. We still have too many small incidents happening. I believe that we can and will improve on these each year. I’m looking forward to our 2004 construction season. The estimators have been busy, and have picked up some work to get the year started.

 Happy Holidays to all!