Do 18-Wheeler Truck Rest Break Rules Make Palmdale Streets Safer from Truck Accidents? The Department of Transportation Hours of Service Regulations Explained
There is no doubt that most truck drivers that work for commercial trucking companies and drive 18-wheelers across their home states and across the country work tirelessly to deliver goods from dock to shelf. Indeed, although many Palmdale residents may seem truck driving as a job that only involves sitting and driving, it is, in fact, heavy work that combines not only the alertness and skill that it takes to navigate a huge and heavily-loaded vehicle down the highways and roads, but also the physicality of lifting, carrying, bending, twisting, jumping in and out of the cab, fueling the truck, and chaining up the truck in inclement weather, among other difficult movements and tasks.
Acknowledging that 18-wheeler commercial truck drivers work long, difficult hours with little sleep, the United States Department of Transportation developed rules and regulations regarding the number of hours that truck drivers can be on duty, and the rest period requirements that they must follow to ensure they are awake on the job. But what are the Hours of Service regulations and do they keep Ventura’s streets safe from truck accidents? Here we explain the federal rest period requirements that dictate when truck drivers must take rest periods, and provide guidance to Palmdale residents who have been injured in truck accidents.
The DOT Hours of Service Regulations for 18-Wheeler Truck Drivers
Under the DOT Hours of Service regulations, a truck driver may only drive up to 11 hours after he or she has been off duty for 10 consecutive hours. In addition, truck drivers “may not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming off duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty. Off-duty time does not extend the 14-hour period.” Finally, in addition to the regulations regarding hours on-duty, truck drivers who drive 18-wheeler commercial trucks must also take a 30-minute rest break for every 8 hours of driving. This break may be satisfied by any non-driving period of 30 consecutive minutes, including duties such as on-duty not driving, or sleeping in the sleeper berth. It is important to also note that in some states, additional rules regarding rest breaks and meal periods may apply.
Justice for Palmdale Drivers Injured in Negligent Truck Accidents
Even though the Hours of Service regulations help to make sure that truck drivers have adequate rest when they are driving on the road, truck driving is a job just like any other, and when jobs involve humans, there is always room for human error. Accordingly, negligent truck accidents can and do happen in Palmdale, and across California, even with all the safety regulations in place.
If you were injured in a truck accident in Palmdale, it is important to speak to an experienced Palmdale truck accident lawyer as soon as possible about your rights and options for compensation. The experienced Palmdale truck accident lawyers at the Trevino Law Firm offer a free and confidential consultation to learn about your truck accident case and to see if they can help you get compensation due. Contact the Trevino Law Firm today and speak to a lawyer about your rights and options for free.
Source:
fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations
