Trucker drivers’ hours of service must be recorded in driving log

When Denver residents get behind the wheels of their cars, their ability to drive for as long as they want is generally limited only by their levels of focus and energy. This is not the case for truck drivers, however, who, in most cases, must comply with hours of service limitations. Hours of service driving limits can cut off the number of hours that truck drivers are behind the wheels of their rigs even if they think they feel well enough to continue.

Driving limits are set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, an agency of the federal government. The limits apply to the drivers of commercial motor vehicles, and commercial motor vehicles are those that are used for business and either weigh more than 10,000 pounds, transport certain numbers of passengers, or that must display hazardous material placards due to the contents of their loads.

Drivers of commercial motor vehicles that transport property may not drive for more than 11 hours in a day, and before they may drive for that length of time, they must have a full 10 hours off duty before beginning. Their 11 hours of driving must be completed in a 14 hour window, which requires drivers to take a break during their extended period of vehicle operation. The times that they are driving and that they are on break must be recorded in a driving log which can be used as evidence if a truck driver causes a vehicle accident.

Truck drivers are subject to driving limitations in order to reduce their chances of causing crashes because of driving fatigue. Any victim of a commercial vehicle accident may wish to consider consulting with a personal injury attorney to explore if truck driver fatigue was a factor in their incident and if the driver’s logbook reflects compliance with these and other federally-mandated rules.

Additional Source: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations

Category:

• Truck Accidents