Truck drivers put thousands of hours in on the road every year. By doing this difficult job, they maintain the flow of goods and products around the country.
However, their grueling schedule takes a toll on them and creates a potential for accidents. Making matters worse, truck accidents can lead to much more serious injuries than everyday car accidents. This is because of the dramatic size difference between 18 wheelers, semis, and other commercial trucks and smaller passenger vehicles.
The federal government recognized the problem posed by exhausted drivers (and the incentive drivers have to press on regardless of how tired they are), and enacted restrictions on the number of hours on the road allowed for truck drivers before they have to take a break.
Understanding the Truck Driver Hour Restrictions
The hours of service (HOS) rules published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration were revised in 2011 to impose greater restrictions on the hours allowed for truck drivers. The revision became effective in 2012, with a final compliance date of July 2013.
Under the current HOS rules, the following restrictions apply to truck drivers who carry goods:
- Drivers are allowed to drive only 11 hours following 10 straight hours off-duty;
- Drivers may not drive beyond the 14th hour following 10 straight hours off-duty;
- Drivers may only drive if 8 hours or less have passed since the their last sleeper berth or off-duty period lasting at least 30 minutes; and
- Drivers can only drive 60 hours in a 7 day period (or 70 hours in an 8 day period), but they can restart the 7/8 day period by taking 34 consecutive hours off.
If a driver gets in an accident, failing to follow the truck driver hour restrictions can provide strong evidence that the driver, and his or her company, was negligent.
These regulations are a good first step at making the roads safer for travelers. But, fatal truck accidents continue to occur at a high rate, so only time will tell if the regulations are actually successful.
Call a New Orleans Truck Accident Attorney
If you’ve been hurt in an accident with a 18 wheeler, tractor trailer, or other commercial truck, call The Mahone Firm today at (504) 564-7342 for a free case evaluation with an injury lawyer.
