Attorney
We rely on truck drivers to transport the goods and materials that keep our economy and society functioning. However, the long hours on the road can lead to catastrophic consequences. Nearly 3.000 crashes involving a semi-truck were reported in Virginia during 2022. Truck driver fatigue laws exist to help keep semi drivers alert and focused behind the wheel.
What Are Hours of Service Regulations?
The federal government has set guidelines on how long drivers can be on the road before they need a rest. These rules, maintained by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), have different applications depending on whether the driver in question is just transporting property or if there are other passengers in the vehicle. All of these rules apply in Virginia.
Property-Carrying Drivers
Certain standards apply to truck drivers only transporting materials or items, including:
- Drivers can only drive for 11 hours after 10 hours off-duty.
- Drivers may only drive 14 hours after coming on duty following their 10-hour off-duty time (this does not include off-duty time).
- Every eight hours, drivers must take a 30 minute uninterrupted break.
- Drivers may not drive more than 60 hours in a seven-day period, or 70 hours in an eight-day period.
- Drivers can split up their 10-hour off-duty time as long as one break is two consecutive hours long and another lasts at least seven consecutive hours spent in the sleeper berth.
- In adverse driving conditions, drivers can extend either the 11 hour or 14 hour driving time window by up to two hours.
Drivers may be able to disregard some of these regulations for certain short-haul drives.
Passenger-Carrying Drivers
Similar standards apply for truck drivers carrying passengers, such as:
- Drivers can drive up to 10 hours after an eight-hour off-duty period.
- Drivers can’t drive after 15 hours on-duty following an off-duty period.
- Like their property-carrying counterparts, drivers may not drive more than 60 hours in a seven-day period, or 70 hours in an eight-day period.
- Drivers utilizing a sleeper berth can split their eight-hour off-duty period into two breaks, as long as each break is at least two hours long.
- Drivers carrying passengers may also extend their driving periods by up to two hours in adverse driving conditions.
As with property transports, certain regulations may not apply for select short-haul drives.
What Happens When Truck Driver Fatigue Laws Are Disregarded?
Driver error is the most common cause of collisions involving trucks, so it is essential to do whatever possible to keep truck operators safe and alert. When drivers push past the limits outlined in truck driver fatigue laws, their attention to the road may wane and inadvertently cause more accidents. Injuries resulting from collisions involving semi-trucks can cause severe injuries that may take months or years to fully heal.
Compensation for Ignorance of Truck Driver Fatigue Laws
If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident in which truck driver fatigue laws were ignored, get in touch with the team at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & Depaolis, LLP. As a trusted Virginia truck accident attorney group, we’ll fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.