Edward J. Hershewe Trucking Accidents Law Blog on Lawyers.com

Avoiding Missouri trucking accidents by following federal rules

In a 2006 Large Truck Crash Causation Study, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) stated that the operators of commercial motor vehicles are ten times more likely to be the cause of a truck crash than such other factors, such as weather, road conditions, or vehicle performance. Also significant is why these operators cause truck accidents in Missouri and other states—driver fatigue. 

Fatigue—a leading culprit in Missouri truck accidents

According to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, driver fatigue was named as a primary factor in as much as 40 percent of truck crashes. Because of this, the federal government and many state governments have addressed this issue by creating laws to limit the number of hours a trucker is permitted to drive consecutively without first taking a break. The Missouri truck accident lawyers at The Hershewe Law Firm, P.C. believe that truckers who follow these rules, which are detailed in the federal hours-of-service regulations in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR) Part 395, are less likely to be the cause of trucking accidents in Missouri. 

Federal hours-of-service regulations

Motor carrier companies may not require or allow their truckers to drive more than 11 cumulative hours following ten consecutive hours off duty or for any period after the end of the 14th hour after coming on duty following ten consecutive hours off duty. 

Motor carrier companies may not require or allow their truckers to drive their rigs for any period after—

• Having been on duty 60 hours in any period of seven consecutive days if the employing motor carrier does not operate commercial motor vehicles every day of the week.
• Having been on duty 70 hours in any period of eight consecutive days if the employing motor carrier operates commercial motor vehicles every day of the week.

Also:

• Any period of seven consecutive days may end with the beginning of any off-duty period of 34 or more consecutive hours.
• Any period of eight consecutive days may end with the beginning of any off-duty period of 34 or more consecutive hours.

 These were necessary because of a trucker’s negligence related to driver fatigue-related errors.  Any interstate trucker driving Missouri roads who follows the federal hours-of-service rules will boost highway safety and be less likely to be the cause of a trucking accident in Missouri.  Contact a Missouri truck accident attorney at The Hershewe Law Firm, P.C. today to discuss your case.

Hershewe Law Firm PC
431 South Virginia Avenue
Joplin, MO 64801-2324
(417) 782-3790