Thomas E. Petri: “one of the last items negotiated between House and Senate in this Conference Report were pending requests for exemptions…”

“one of the last items negotiated between House and Senate in this Conference Report were pending requests for exemptions from hours-of-service regulations for truck drivers in various industries. I personally believe that safety and economic realities require that there be greater flexibility in the rigid rules and regulations governing hours of service and I was disappointed that many of these exemptions did not receive more positive consideration. One exemption that I supported, but was ultimately not accepted, would provide emergency flexibility that permits the re-rail industry to quickly respond to the true emergency needs that arise from railroad derailments and accidents. The failure to provide an emergency exemption for the Rerail Industry will result in a continuing denigration of our ability to protect the lives of citizens living along rights of way, assure highway safety and expedite interstate commerce by quickly clearing train derailments. Today these emergency responders of the rail mode are often given the Hobson's choice of rapidly clearing wrecks that endanger lives and property and can cost millions of dollars in stacked up traffic or being penalized for violating hours of service. This is neither fair nor is it in the public interest. One of the best examples is the Weyauwega, Wisconsin derailment that took place in my own Congressional District.…”