Regulations and compliance standards for commercial truck drivers are very different from those for drivers of private passenger cars. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) oversees industry regulation with help from state agencies for enforcement. In the United States, there are more than 500,000 active interstate motor carriers. The potential influences these massive trucks can have on public safety is one justification for national uniformity and strict regulation. The majority of fatalities in incidents with heavy trucks occur to passengers in cars. These trucks can weigh up to 20 times as much as an average car. They need at least 20% additional distance to come to a complete stop when carrying freight. Commercial truck driver error is the top reason for truck accidents, which should be reduced by taking proper action.
Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations
The truck drivers must comply with the Federal regulations that restrict the number of hours truck drivers can drive their vehicles in a day. These regulations help in preventing drivers from becoming fatigued and driving their trucks unsafely.
Vehicle Maintenance
Truck drivers are required to maintain their vehicles in safe operating conditions, including regular inspections and repairs. At the end of each work day, truck drivers are required to fill up a specific inspection report detailing any defects or deficiencies that might compromise their ability to operate the truck safely. Even if no issues are found, drivers of CMVs intended for passenger transportation are required to produce reports. These reports are to be kept on file for three months.
Drug and Alcohol Tests
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited. Therefore, truck drivers must take regular drug and alcohol tests to ensure that they are not driving vehicles while under the influence of any substances.
Vehicle Safety Equipment
Truck drivers must ensure that their vehicles have the necessary safety equipment. The truck drivers much inspect systems for braking and steering, lights and horn, wheels, rims, tires, windshield wipers and mirrors, and emergency supplies. There have been cases where poor maintenance was the cause of a major accident.
Secure Load
Truck drivers must ensure that the load that they are carrying is properly secured and the cargo does not fall. Moreover, an unsecured load can seriously affect the performance of the vehicle and can cause unnecessary swerving.
Speed Limit
Following speed limits is the number one step in safe driving. Truck drivers must follow the speed limits and maintain the speed of the vehicle based on road conditions and weather.
Seat Belt Use
Seat belts are there to protect the driver from serious injuries or ejection from the vehicle in case of a powerful collision. The truck drivers must use their seat belts while driving the trucks and also ensure that all passengers are wearing their seat belts.
Electronic Logging Device (ELD)
Truck drivers must now install an electronic logging device (ELD) as per recent regulations. The daily mileage is automatically recorded by this ELD. The ELD is the newest technology that carriers must adopt unless they already have an AOBRD in place.
Truck accidents are often fatal and cause a lot of misery for all the parties involved in the incident. You may be entitled to financial compensation if you recently suffered severe injuries in a collision with a commercial truck. However, you must consult an experienced attorney to receive just compensation for your losses.
