Detailing hours of service regulations for truckers

If you are like most in San Antonio, then there has probably been a time or two when, after a long day at work or hectic night at home, you have felt a little drowsy behind the wheel. When you are driving tired, your reaction times can slow almost to the point of you being considered impaired. Maintaining control of your vehicle can be extremely difficult in such situations. Yet if it is difficult for you, imagine how much more it may for one driving an enormous semi-truck. Many of the clients that we here at The Law Offices of Miller & Bicklein, P.C. have worked with have had to learn firsthand just how dangerous drowsy truck drivers can be.

To help prevent you and others who share the roads with these vehicles, federal regulations have been enacted to help keep truck drivers rested and in control of all of their faculties while driving. These rules place restrictions on when and for how long truckers can drive. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, they limit drivers to:

• Only driving 11 hours after having had 10 consecutive hours off duty
• Only driving for up to 14 hours after having come back on duty
• Driving no more than 60-70 on 7-8 consecutive days
• Only driving for up to 8 hours without having to take a break

Truck drivers are tasked with recording their hours of service in log books in their vehicles. If and when you are involved in an accident with one, you and/or investigators can ask to see that log book to determine if the driver has been compliant to these rules and regulations. Falsifying these log books could result in criminal penalties.

More information on determining liability in truck accidents can be found here on our site.