Due to the competitiveness of the trucking industry, truck drivers are frequently driving to the point of exhaustion. Late last month, a semi carrying two occupants flipped over on its side on Interstate 65 near Lebanon.
Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt, but Fox 59 says, “Alcohol is not thought to be a factor, but police say fatigue may have contributed to the crash.”
This news story is, unfortunately, a common occurrence in the trucking industry, but the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has strict rules in place to prevent truckers from overworking themselves. These rules are known as the hours of service regulations (HOS).
What Are the Hour of Service Regulations?
The HOS regulations limit the number of hours a driver of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) can drive. In other words, it tries to prevent truckers from driving while fatigued.
Are HOS Regulations Different for Trucks Carrying Property or Passengers?
A commercial driver’s license (CDL) holder may be driving a CMV that is carrying passengers, materials, or products. The HOS requirements are slightly different, depending on what the driver is carrying.
Below are some of the differences in HOS for property-carrying trucks and passenger-carrying trucks:
- For property-carrying trucks, a driver is allowed to drive for 11 hours following 10 consecutive hours off duty. A driver for a passenger-carrying truck is allowed to drive for 10 hours following eight consecutive hours off duty.
- A driver for a property-carrying truck is not allowed to work longer than 14 hours following 10 consecutive hours off duty. A driver for a passenger-carrying truck is not allowed to work longer than 15 hours following eight consecutive hours off duty.
The distinctions in HOS regulations for passenger-carrying operations and property-carrying operations are important for all truckers to abide by. The rules are in place to protect the motoring public, and it is the responsibility of truckers to do their part to maintain the public’s safety.
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident contact our experienced attorneys for a free consultation of your case.