Semitrucks are large, heavy rigs that share the road with other vehicles. The size and weight difference between them and smaller vehicles makes them incredibly dangerous. It’s critical that truckers are in the proper mental and physical condition to operate these rigs.
One factor that can negatively impact a trucker’s ability to drive safely is fatigue. With this in mind, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration set rules known as the hours of service that limit how long truckers can drive on a single shift.
Varying limits on hours
There’s a differentiation between how long truckers can drive if they’re carrying property or passengers. The maximum driving time for a trucker who’s carrying property is 11 hours per day with a 10-hour off-duty period. The maximum driving time for a trucker who’s carrying passengers is 10 hours a day, with an 8-hour off-duty period.
Truckers sometimes have to do duties other than driving. The times that they’re doing other duties don’t count toward their driving time; however, there are limits to how long into a shift they’re allowed to drive. Truckers carrying property can’t drive past the 14th consecutive hour on duty. Truckers carrying people can’t drive past the 15th hour on duty. In all cases, they’re still limited to the total number of hours they can drive per day.
A crash with a semitruck can lead to significant injuries for the victims. These injuries may require urgent medical care, which can be costly. Those victims may opt to pursue a claim for compensation, but battling against a trucking company or other liable parties can be complex. It may be best for these victims to work with someone familiar with these matters, particularly if the hours of service guidelines are a factor in the case.
