Driver error causes 90% of truck accidents. Tired drivers have more accidents ― and truck accidents are particularly deadly. Thankfully, federal rules have recently become stricter for truckers. In particular, truckers’ hours-of-service, or the amount of time they are allowed to drive per week, has decreased.
These new regulations went into effect at the beginning of July. Here are the key changes you should know about:
Truckers are limited to drive 70 hours/ 8 days
Truckers used to be allowed to drive up to 82 hours in the course of eight consecutive days. Now, truckers may not drive more than 60 hours in the course of seven consecutive days. Before truckers can begin another seven to eight-day driving period, they must take off for at least 34 consecutive hours.
Rest breaks are described
Rest breaks are defined as a minimum of 30 minutes spent off-duty or in a “sleeper-berth period,” where truckers park and sleep in a sleeper-berth area of their trucks. Truckers must drive within eight hours after the rest break ends for these driving hours to count as part of the same shift.
What are driving-time limits?
Truckers who are transporting cargo may drive up to 11 hours only after 10 continuous hours off-duty. Trucking for more than driving-time limits may subject a driver to civil traffic penalties. If a trucker drives more than 14 hours straight, which is exactly three hours above the 11-hour driving-time limit, it is considered an egregious violation subject to maximum civil traffic penalties.
Know someone that has suffered from a truck accident?
Engaging a truck accident lawyer well versed in local laws can help truck accident victims get the most compensation possible. Call us today at (877) 851-4261.