When it comes to road safety, truck drivers must follow the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations. These rules limit how long drivers can be on the road and ensure they get enough rest to drive safely. If drivers violate these rules, it can put them and others at risk. Victims can consult truck accident attorneys to determine if HOS violations caused the crash. In this blog, we will discuss some common examples of HOS violations by truck drivers.
What are the Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations?
HOS rules are designed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). They aim to stop truck driver fatigue. Fatigue often leads to truck accidents. These rules say how long a driver can work, how long they can drive, and when they must take a break.
The key components of the HOS regulations include:
- 11-Hour Driving Limit: The 11-hour rule specifies that drivers may not drive for more than 11 cumulative hours during a 14-hour shift. It means that three of the 14 hours are non-driving time or breaks.
- 14-Hour Driving Window: A truck driver should not operate their vehicle after the 14th hour of duty, after 10 hours off duty. This limit applies to driving and other work-related actions like loading and unloading.
- 30-Minute Rest Break: Drivers must take a 30-minute break after driving for 8 hours straight without a rest.
- 60/70-Hour Rule: Drivers cannot drive more than 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days, based on their work schedule.
Common Examples of HOS Violations
- Exceeding the 11-Hour Driving Limit
A common violation is driving for more than 11 hours. A truck driver behind may drive an extra hour to meet a deadline. It breaks the law and raises the risk of fatigue, which can cause serious accidents. For example, a truck driver might drive for 11 hours and then continue for 30 more minutes, leading to a crash due to fatigue.
- Failure to Take the Required Rest Break
Another frequent issue is not taking the required 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving. Truck drivers may feel they can drive straight through without resting. But this can cause tiredness and slow them down. For example, if a driver skips a break after 8 hours of driving, they may cause a crash due to sleepiness, which a short rest could have prevented.
- Driving Beyond the 14-Hour Duty Window
The 14-hour duty rule ensures drivers take breaks and don’t drive for too long at once. A driver must stop driving after 14 hours and rest. However, some drivers break this rule and keep moving. For example, a driver who hits their 14-hour limit might keep going for another hour to reach a rest area. It can lead to accidents because the driver may become too exhausted to drive safely.
- Driving After 70 Hours of Duty in 8 Days
Drivers who drive more than 70 hours in 8 days violate HOS rules. It usually happens when drivers must make up for lost time. Truckers may work several long days and push themselves past the legal limit without taking a necessary break. It can lead to drowsiness, which raises the chances of bad crashes.
- Failure to Reset the 34-Hour Rule
The 34-hour reset rule allows drivers to restart their weekly driving hours by taking 34 consecutive hours off duty. If a driver skips this reset or does not follow through, they might exceed the 70-hour limit. Drivers often face pressure to deliver goods quickly during long-haul trips, which can lead to this situation. Failure to comply with this reset could result in fatigue and impaired driving abilities, leading to accidents.
Conclusion
Understanding HOS regulations is very important for anyone in the trucking industry or affected by truck accidents. These rules focus not only on following the law but also on safety. Truck drivers endanger themselves and others on the road when they break these rules. Violating regulations, such as driving for excessive hours and not taking required rest breaks, can lead to serious accidents.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a truck accident, it’s important to remember that you have legal rights to file a lawsuit. Seeking legal advice from experienced truck accident attorneys can help determine if these violations were a contributing factor to the crash and can assist in seeking justice for any harm done.