As you’re driving down Highway 26, you see an 18-wheeler coming up next to you. While you hope the driver operating the large vehicle is alert, sober, and well-experienced, you just can’t tell. As a result, every time you share the road with a large truck, your safety is potentially in jeopardy.
Truckers are known for working extremely long hours without getting the proper rest they need. Thousands of crashes occur each year because of drivers who fall asleep behind the wheel or because their judgment is impaired due to a lack of sleep. Recently, actor Tracy Morgan was seriously injured in a truck crash allegedly because the driver had been awake for 24 hours.
Hours of Service Regulations are Meant to Keep You Safe
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has instituted a set of regulations that truckers are supposed to abide by in order to keep drivers and motorists safe. The regulations for property-carrying drivers include:
A driving limit.
Truck drivers can only drive a maximum of 11 hours at a time after ten consecutive hours of time off.
The 60/70-hour limit.
Drivers can’t be on duty for more than 60 hours seven consecutive days or 70 hours on duty in eight consecutive days. A driver may restart a seven- or eight-consecutive day period after taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty.
Rest breaks.
A driver may only drive if eight hours or less have passed since the end of the driver’s last off-duty or sleeper berth period of at least 30 minutes.
Have You Been Injured In A Texas Truck Accident?
If you've been injured in a truck accident you need to speak with an experienced truck accident injury attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.
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