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Federal Eighteen Wheeler Laws To Protect You

By Timothy Young

One institution that is essential to our nation's economic success is the trucking industry. Trucking companies and employees provide the foundation for the success of practically every retailer, food provider, and internet delivery service available in the United States. Because of this, it can be very tempting for the owners of such companies to push the limits when it comes to the amount of time their employees spend on the road and the type of maintenance performed on trucks.

In order to prevent accidents or wrecks that can result from improper or unsafe truck operation, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enforces a certain number of rules and guidelines by which all companies must operate. These regulations limit the number of hours drivers are allowed to work during a given time period, dictate the standards for vehicle inspection, and cap the weight that can be loaded on 18 wheeler trucks that fill the nation's highways.

According to the Administration's 'Interstate Truck Driver's Guide to Hours of Service', all truckers must comply with the 14 hour duty limit and 11 hour driving limit. No driver may work more than 60 hours in a 7 day period, and all drivers must have a valid commercial motor vehicle driver's license in order to operate an 18 wheeler. There is also a mandatory 34 hour rest period for drivers between work weeks. In order to make sure that drivers abide by these rules and take appropriate rest periods while on the road, trucking employees are also required to submit daily logs of their time on the road.

The height, length, and width of trucks are specified by the Administration in order to make sure that trucks are technically safe to drive and will not be likely to roll over or skid. Additional noise emission and passenger regulations can also be found in the FMCSA's trucking regulations.

Maintenance is prescribed by the Administration under §396.3 Inspection, repair and maintenance, which states that 'every motor carrier shall systematically inspect, repair, and maintain, or cause to be systematically inspected, repaired, and maintained, all motor vehicles subject to its control'. The subsection goes on to define specific standards an d procedures that are in place to ensure the safety or all vehicles that share the roads with tractor trailers.

As a driver, you must always exercise caution when sharing the highway with 18 wheelers. Despite regulations, truck drivers are often overworked, sleep deprived, or improperly qualified to operate a large vehicle. It may be the truck driving company's fault for forcing the driver to work too many hours in violation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Rules. In America, for every nine deaths due to a wreck, one of those wrecks involved a truck or 18 wheeler. Be careful on the roads, and always be aware that truckers, like any other drivers, can make life altering mistakes behind the wheel.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Timothy Young

Full post as published by New Orleans Personal Injury Lawyer on April 19, 2010 (boomark / email).