Oklahoma Truck Driver Hours of Service Violations
Fatigued driving is so common among truck drivers that government regulators have put in place federal regulations regarding the number of hours commercial drivers can work without proper rest. When drivers push through fatigue and violate hours-of-service regulations, they put everyone on the roadway at risk. Truck driver fatigue is one of the common causes of major injury truck accidents.
What are Hours-of-Service Regulations?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces hours of service regulations for certain commercial drivers. All commercial drivers who operate a big-rig weighing 10,001 pounds or more, or who are transporting hazardous material, or who are being paid to transport nine or more passengers must adhere to the hours-of-service regulations.
The hours of service rules for property carrying drivers include:
- 11-hour driving limit. Under the 11-hour limit, truck drivers may only drive for up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- 14-hour limit. Truck drivers may not drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on duty, after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- Mandatory rest breaks. Truck drivers may only drive if eight hours or less have passed since the end of the driver's last off-duty or sleeper berth period of at least 30 minutes.
- 60/70 hour limit. Drivers are prohibited from driving after 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days. Drivers may restart a 7/8 consecutive day period after taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty.
These regulations are crucial to preventing fatigued driving. Truck drivers who are on the roadway for more than 14 hours without first resting for 10 hours are prone to feeling drowsy or even falling asleep behind the wheel. When working without enough recovery time, drivers are likely to have a slower reaction time, a reduced ability to assess situations, and a greater chance of causing a major collision.
Identifying Hours of Service Violations
There are many ways in which an experienced truck accident lawyer can track a truck driver's hours of service violations. We could request the truck driver's log, which helps us look at how long the driver has been on the road. We often find that truck drivers are not diligent about recording entries in their logbook.
There are other records that could help us determine the driver's activities including cell phone data, receipts, credit and debit card information, toll tickets, and surveillance camera footage. Information from the truck, like the vehicle's speed, braking, and other operations just before the collision are collected. When a driver fails to brake, slow down or swerve to avoid a crash, that is a clear sign of a driver who is drowsy or has falls asleep at the wheel. Such critical evidence must be promptly procured and preserved.
Contact an Experienced Oklahoma Truck Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident caused by a truck driver who was fatigued, Attorney Ray Maples can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Trucking firms often fight these types of allegations to protect their job. You need a skilled Oklahoma trucking accident attorney on your side who will fight for you every step of the way.
Call us at (405) 883-4487 for a free and comprehensive consultation.