Truck drivers can try splitting their sleep time differently for the first time

The US trucking regulator is proposing a pilot program to let some commercial truck drivers split their required rest time in new ways. This means a small group of drivers will test if more flexible sleep schedules are as safe as the current strict rules.

For decades, federal rules have dictated exactly how long truck drivers must rest and when. These rules are meant to prevent fatigue, but they also create rigid schedules that can be inefficient for drivers and carriers. If this pilot program shows that new sleep schedules are safe, it could lead to a permanent change in how millions of truck drivers manage their working hours.