What to Know About Trucking Industry Regulations
In the trucking industry, drivers, company owners, and employees must abide
by various regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
(FMCSA). These rules are enforced to help keep all individuals on the
road safe from potential harm. Unfortunately, there are times when these
regulations are violated, sometimes resulting in serious collisions involving
large commercial semi-trucks. The weight of these trucks alone is enough
to cause catastrophic damage. This is why the FMCSA is so strict with
their regulations.
The FMCSA regulates the following:
Conduct
Truck drivers must follow the same laws as regular drivers. This means they must refrain from driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, texting while driving, driving while fatigued, and engaging in reckless driving behavior like speeding or merging unsafely. They must also keep a daily log detailing the hours they have operated the truck. This helps to ensure they are abiding by the Hours of Service regulations.
Hours of Service
Commercial truck drivers are limited to the number of hours they are allowed to drive consecutively before they must take a break. In general, a truck driver is allowed to drive a maximum of 11 total hours, but only after spending 10 consecutive hours off duty. Over the course of seven or eight consecutive days, the driver may only drive a total of 60 or 70 hours. The consecutive day period can begin again after the driver has taken 34 or more consecutive hours off duty.
Violations of the Hours of Service regulations can result in a fatigued driver, which is a potential cause of trucking collisions on the road. This is often due to drivers attempting to meet strict deadlines set by the owner of the company to increase profits. It may be associated with falsified information on the daily driving log.
Weight Restrictions
Trucks must remain under a certain weight limit, including the weight of the trailer and cargo. This requires the employee responsible for loading the trailer to make sure it is not overloaded. A trailer that is too heavy can cause excessive strain on the tow hitch, engine, brakes, and more. This could lead to the truck being unable to stop when faced with sudden traffic.
Hurt in a Truck Accident?
At The Pittman Firm, P.A., our Florida Panhandle truck accident attorney is fully aware of the catastrophic injuries that can be caused by a trucking collision. With more than 30 years of experience, we aim to help our clients secure the compensation they need to cover expenses associated with their injuries, including medical bills and lost wages. With so much on the line, place your trust in a firm that has obtained results.
Call us today to discuss your potential claim.