Obama Administration Pushes Forth New Trucker Safety Rules
The Department of Transportation has taken a stand regarding the amount of rest required for truckers. Concerns over the dangers of trucking accidents has led to an increased focus on ways to make trucks safer for all drivers on the road.
Some of the new rules being implemented require drivers to take longer breaks in between driving stints and to cut back on their total hours operating the vehicle. The exact parts of the new law mandate that drivers must stop and take a break every eight hours for at least thirty minutes.
The maximum number of hours truckers could work in one week was previously 82 hours, and that has been reduced to 72 driving hours for every truck driver. Once an operator taps that 72-hour limit, he or she must restart those hours after a solid 34-hour break.
Although some truck drivers are concerned about the impact the laws might have on their earning capacity, but lawmakers are convinced this is a step in the right direction for cutting down the number of trucking accidents and fatalities plaguing the nation. Fatigue and truck drivers have long been connected, leading to dangerous crashes that can lead to multiple car pileups.
When drivers aren’t properly rested, they’re more likely to fall asleep at the wheel or become distracted. The enormous size of most trucks means that smaller vehicles can be crushed on impact. At least 4,000 truck crashes all around the country happen every single year, a number the Obama administration is determined to reduce. Researchers suggest that implementing the new rules should result in a reduction by at least 1,400 crashes every year.
Truck accidents can lead to serious injuries and even death for victims. If you’ve been the victim of a trucking accident, you need the guidance of an experienced attorney to assist with your case. Contact a lawyer today.
