The Department of Transportation published a final rule on driver coercion that will fine carriers, brokers, shippers and others for pressuring truck drivers to operate outside of federal safety regulations.
The rule goes into effect Jan. 29 and enacts fines up to $16,000 for any carrier, broker, shipper, receiver or anyone else in the supply chain who attempts to force drivers to operate their vehicles when it would violate federal rules to do so, such as when a driver is out of hours.
The rule defines coercion as: “A threat by a motor carrier, shipper, receiver or transportation intermediary, or their respective agents…to withhold business, employment or work opportunities from or to take or permit any adverse employment action against a driver in order to induce” the trucker to drive “under conditions which the driver stated would require him or her to violate one or more” FMCSA regulations.
The rule also requires drivers to report instances of coercion to FMCSA for a follow-up investigation. Drivers must file their complaints with the agency within 90 days of the occurrence of any alleged coercion acts and must provide FMCSA with any evidence they may have, such as messages or recorded phone conversations.
