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OK, now we’ve said it again: Leave the current hours-of-service rule alone because it has proven its value for promoting safety while allowing the freight transportation industry to continue moving the nation’s freight.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Transportation Department’s new proposed hours-of-service rule is too complex, rigid, and would reduce the productivity of motor carriers, while making highways no safer, trucking industry and trade association executives and truck drivers told federal regulators last week.

Truck makers and dealers sold 9,236 Class 8 vehicles in the United States during January, a jump of 25% over January 2010’s pace, but about 2,500 below December’s strong results, WardsAuto.com reported.

Recent moves by the U.S. Department of Defense to outsource management of freight shipments and put in place a system for handling personal property of military service members appear to be paying off by reducing transportation costs, although some trucking industry officials continue to raise questions about the effectiveness and long-term savings of both programs.

Several February reports appear to indicate that a steadily improving economy holds long-term promise for trucking, despite the negative freight effects of recent winter weather.

The Canadian government announced it is pushing forward with its plan for a national 2% biodiesel mandate, setting July as its implementation date despite truckers’ concerns.

Lawyers for American Trucking Associations and the Port of Los Angeles completed filing their written legal arguments last week over the port’s attempted ban on independent owner-operators.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The recent surge in heavy-duty truck orders will slow as the buying focus shifts from better-capitalized large fleets to smaller carriers that may not be able to afford as much new equipment, industry experts said.

Severe winter weather, along with rising fuel prices, are taking a toll on some freight companies, prompting FedEx Corp. to reduce its earnings forecast for its current quarter by 25 cents a share.