Texas Truck Accident Attorney

Trucking Safety: Federal Hours of Service Regulations

Federal law imposes many regulations on the trucking industry aimed at reducing the frequency of accidents involving commercial trucks. Because the potential damage of an 18-wheeler accident is so high, truck drivers are held to a much stricter standard than the average passenger car driver. One set of regulations governs how many hours a truck driver is allowed to drive and how many they must rest to maintain alertness and awareness. These rules, known as the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, underwent an overhaul in 2003, were overturned by a court in 2004, reinstated later that year with several modifications, and have been monitored ever since.

The current set of HOS rules can be split into several parts:

The 11-hour limit:

Drivers may only operate up to 11 hours during a 14-hour working window after they come on duty. A driver may only begin a new 14-hour window after 10 consecutive hours off-duty.

The 60-hour / 70-hour rule:

A driver working for a trucking company that operates 6 days a week could only drive for a maximum of 60 hours in a consecutive 7-day period, while a driver working for a company operating 7 days a week can only drive for up to 70 hours in a consecutive 8-day period.

The 34-hour restart provision:

If a driver takes 34 consecutive hours off-duty during any operating period, they may restart the calculation of the 60/70 hour limit from that point instead of being forced to wait for the next 7-day period to begin.

Proponents of the current regulations say that it more closely follows the natural, 24-hour circadian rhythm of human adults and is more likely to help drivers maintain a rested, alert state while on duty. Whether or not this claim is true is yet to be seen.

As with all regulations, trucking safety rules have no effect unless they are followed, which, unfortunately, not everyone does. If you have been injured in a collision with a large commercial truck or 18-wheeler, a Texas truck accident lawyer from Williams Kherkher can help you determine who was at fault for your injuries and work to recover the damages you are entitled to. Call one today at 866-950-9000 for a free initial consultation.