Truck Driver Hours of Service (HOS) Rules

21 May Truck Driver Hours of Service (HOS) Rules

Truck drivers face numerous hazards on the road. The biggest hazard though, may be themselves.

Numerous 18-wheeler accidents are attributed to driver fatigue and exhaustion on a daily basis. Because of this, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has passed laws limiting the amount of time a truck driver can operate his or her vehicle. In fact, the FMCSA again unveiled updated hours of service (HOS) regulations in July of 2013 in an effort to further reduce the number of accidents attributed to driver fatigue.

Driver inattention and fatigue are responsible for up to 30 percent of all car accidents. This is especially true for truck drivers who are tasked with the responsibility of transporting goods across state lines in a high pressure environment. In the past, drivers were allowed to work more than 80 hours per week. This put them at extreme risk of becoming fatigued, which in turn affected their ability to drive well due to diminished energy and attention.

Hours Driven Down

The current regulations state that truck drivers can only work 70 hours per week total. Additionally, drivers who reach this 70 hour maximum before the end of the week are required to rest for 34 consecutive hours before resuming. This will enable their circadian rhythms to catch up, which in turn reduces their chances of falling asleep at the wheel during the day.

Another federal regulation requires drivers to take a 30-minute break during the first 8 hours of being on the road. Drivers also have an 11-hour daily driving limit as well as a 14-hour work day. All these measures are in line with the FMCSA’s goal of trying to reduce truck driving accidents on our roads.

Money Saving Venture

The transport body hopes to save more than $280 million in savings as a result of fewer crashes as well as $470 million in savings from improved driver health. These new regulations were developed after years of scientific research as well as outreach with transport stakeholders.

Trucking companies are also supposed to adhere to these rules by ensuring that they accurately log truck driver hours and keep records which clearly outline a driver’s itinerary. Random inspections by federal authorities happen from time to time with the aim of shutting down companies which don’t comply with these rules.

Think a sleeping or fatigued driver caused your accident? Contact Rasansky Law Firm today at 1-877-659-1620 for your free consultation.