FMCSA’s New Hours-of-Service Limits Aim to Make Highways Safer from Fatigued Truck Drivers

While there are many reasons for tractor-trailer crashes, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported in 2010 that truck driver fatigue was a direct factor in 13% of all truck accident fatalities. The hours-of-service provisions were introduced to limit the number of hours truckers could drive. Their purpose is to limit truck driver fatigue when behind the wheel. 

In response to new studies and calls for changes from safety advocates, the FMCSA in late December announced new, more stringent,hours-of-service safety requirements for commercial truck drivers. 

The changes reduce by 12 hours the maximum number of hours a truck driver can work within a week. Under the previous hours-of-service rules, truck drivers could work up to 82 hours within a seven-day period. 

In addition, truck drivers cannot drive after working eight hours without first taking a break of at least 30 minutes. Drivers can take the 30-minute break whenever they need rest during the eight-hour window. In the revised provisions, drivers are also allowed to “restart the clock on their work week” by taking at least 34 consecutive hours off duty.

“Trucking is a difficult job, and a big rig can be deadly when a driver is tired and overworked,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “This final rule will help prevent fatigue-related truck crashes and save lives. Truck drivers deserve a work environment that allows them to perform their jobs safely.”

The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety do not believe the changes go far enough to save lives on U.S. roads. The organization has been calling for the government to limit the number of hours a driver can drive each day to 10 hours, from the current 11-hour limit put in place in 2003. 

In a press release, Henry Jasny, Vice President and General Counsel of the advocacy group, said, “By keeping the unsafe portion of the rule that permits truckers to drive for 11 consecutive hours, Department officials have broken their promise to make safety their number one priority.” 

The FMCSA’s new rules go into effect July 1, 2013.

According to the 2010 Kentucky Collision Facts report, 8,564 large trucks were involved in collisions in the state of Kentucky in 2010. Of those tractor-trailer accidents, 93 people died and 1,393 suffered serious injuries. Large trucks accounted for just 4% of the vehicles involved in collisions in 2010 in Kentucky.  However, those accidents accounted for over 8% of fatalities in accidents. 

Our Kentucky truck accident law firm has seen the tragic results of fatigued truckers – victims and their families are devastated by serious injuries and fatalities. Frank Jenkins Law Office supports the governments continued efforts to monitor the trucking industry, and to improve the safety of all drivers on Kentucky highways.