During a period when semi-truck crash fatalities exploded past 4,000 for the first time in seven years, legislation could sneak past Congress that would allow more fatigued truck drivers on the road. The scenario occurs as lawmakers return to Washington on Monday to debate a bill to keep the federal government open after the current continuing resolution expires on Dec. 9. Lobbyists for the trucking industry will be attempting to use this must-pass funding bill to attach policy anomalies that have nothing to do with funding, but have everything to do with rolling back, weakening and repealing truck safety protections, says the watchdog group, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.
