New Ruling On Driver Fatigue Doesn't Sit Well With Trucking Industry

Truck driver fatigue is a major problem. Often, truck drivers are under an immense amount of pressure due to deadlines and forego their mandated resting rules in order to get their shipment in on time. Truckers might fudge the numbers in their log books to do this so it looks like they got the appropriate amount of rest, when actually, they did not. Fatigue is one of the major causes of truck accidents, yet the trucking industry is fighting new legislation that would require truck drivers to get the proper rest.

The American Trucking Association filed a petition that is asking the court to reevaluate the new rule to change the hours-of-service for commercial truck drivers. The trucking industry is worried that the new regulations will cost their industry a lot of money, more money than it is worth to protect drivers from fatigue. They are spouting claims of faulty research and assumptions that contributed to the new legislation, but not everyone is so sure that the current rules are doing enough to prevent commercial truck drivers from fatigue.

Before the new legislation, truck drivers were allowed to drive a maximum 82 hours within a work week but now that number is being cut down to 70. The regulations are also demanding that the drivers rest for at least 30 minutes every 8 hours. The trucking industry is arguing that there are other, more effective ways of eliminating risk factors for truck drivers. Some of the regulations already in place for the trucking industry involve electronically managed speed limit of 65 mph maximum and other automated traffic enforcement technology.

While the trucking industry is stating that the new regulations are too much, some safety advocates are saying they aren't enough. Many wanted to reduce the 11 hour per day maximum driving limit, but that regulation will stay the same. There is also a 34-hour restart provision in the new bill that is requiring drivers who maximize their weekly work hours to take two nights of rest from 1am to 5am. There are fines and penalties in place for those companies who don't ensure that their drivers aren't working for more than 11 hour days.

As a driver of a passenger vehicle, you know the dangers that commercial trucks pose. If you have been injured in an accident involving truck driver fatigue, then it is important that you understand your legal rights. Seek the help of a truck accident attorney at Arnold & Itkin to see how you can be compensated after your truck accident. Due to the size of trucks, they often cause serious injuries that require extensive medical attention and you will need your medical bills paid for. Contact a truck accident lawyer from our firm today to see how we can help you get that compensation.