The dangers of driving while overtired are really similar to those of an intoxicated driver. When a person is driving or doing something without the proper amount of rest, they are not as sharp. Their reaction time is slower. Their ability to pay attention is impacted. Driving while fatigued is very dangerous to the driver and to others.
If you have been in a wreck due to the other driver being overtired, contact a Nashville driver fatigue accident lawyer today. An experienced truck accident attorney could help you get the recovery you deserve.
Regulations to Prevent Truck Driver FatigueThe Department of Transportation has regulations in place to prevent truck driver fatigue. It establishes certain regulations on how long a truck driver can drive during a week and how much rest they are required to have. The goal of hours of service regulations is to keep fatigue truckers off the runway, making the roads safer for everyone. For more information about the regulations to prevent truck driver fatigue, reach out to a driver fatigue accident attorney in Nashville.
How Many Hours Per Day is a Truck Driver Allowed to Work?A truck driver can be on duty for up to 14 hours per day. The duty period includes more than when the truck driver is driving. Once the duty period starts, the driver can go for 14 consecutive hours. After that, they have to take a break for at least 10 hours before they can drive again. Once an individual starts that on-duty running time, even if they take a nap or they are in the truck when they are on duty, that clock runs for 14 hours. However, in that 14 hours, an individual can only drive 11 hours, they have to have rest periods in that on-duty period.
Also, a truck driver can only have 60 on-duty hours within a seven-day period. Once the person has accumulated 60 hours in seven days, they must take 34 hours off-duty.
Mandatory Rest Period Between ShiftsThe mandatory rest period between shifts is 10 hours. There is also the 30-minute rule, which that states that a driver cannot drive past his eight-hours without a break. If a trucker been driving for the past eight hours, they have to take a 30-minute off-duty break. They can get off duty or rest in a sleeper berth. This rule can make sure our drivers are alert and safe.
Keeping Track of the Hours LoggedDrivers and employees keep track of the hours logged using a driver log. It is a paper notebook that is specifically made for driving. It shows the hours the person was driving, the time that they were resting, and when went they back on duty. These logs have to be maintained for six months after they are used.
In December of 2017, however, it became mandatory for most commercial drivers to keep an electronic logging device. These devices are installed in trucks and are used to track their logs, which is much more efficient from a lawyer’s standpoint.
In the past, there would be a lot of fraudulent driver logs. Truck drivers would hide that they were exceeding their hours, and that is harder to do on the electronic logging devices. The electronics are much more efficient and easier to monitor. They also help the federal government monitor these drivers to make sure that they are driving legally and safely.
Leading Cause of Driver FatigueThe leading cause of driver fatigue that leads to truck accidents is profits. Driver violations or violations on the hours of duty are often caused by the driver trying to make more money by driving more miles or the company pushing that driver too much to make quicker deliveries. Put simply, the more deliveries the company’s trucks make, the more money that truck company is making.
They have a financial incentive to run the trucks as much as they can. Unfortunately, some companies will let those profits interfere with their judgment. They will run the drivers and trucks too long and violate these hours, and that is when it becomes serious damages can occur.
How a Nashville Driver Fatigue Attorney Could HelpIf you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to the other driver being fatigued, speak with a seasoned attorney today. A Nashville driver fatigue lawyer could help you file a claim and get the compensation you deserve. It is only fair that you are able to recover from your injuries, which is why you should call today to schedule a consultation.
The insurance company has a legal team. You should too.
