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August 2, 1999 5:33 PM, EDT

The Department of Transportation sent its surface transportation safety bill today to Congress, where it is likely to be quickly superseded by legislation scheduled to be introduced later in the week by the House Transportation Committee.

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DOT’s proposal calls for the installation of on-board recorders on trucks to monitor compliance with hours-of-service regulations. It seeks training for new carriers and drivers as well as penalties for shippers who induce rule violations.

"This legislation will require carriers to know the safety regulations before they send trucks out on the road and to use technology to mange drivers’ hours of service. It will keep high-risk drivers from taking the wheel of a big rig," Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater said.

House Transportation Committee Chairman Bud Shuster (R-Pa.) has called a press conference for Tuesday at which he is expected to introduce legislation creating a National Motor Carrier Administration.

"My proposal is designed to get the federal Office of Motor Carriers the resources its needs to make our roads as safe as they can be," Shuster said in a press release announcing the news conference.

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