Truck Accident Info

On October 28, 2008, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued its annual list of Most Wanted Safety Improvements. The list is designed to raise public awareness about transportation safety issues for many modes of transportation, including airplanes, trains, oil pipelines, and commercial trucks. 
Relating to commercial trucking, the NTSB again advocates for the mandatory use [...]

Federal regulations limit the number of hours commercial truck drivers may stay on-duty. These rules have been modified over the years in an effort reach a balance between safety and efficiency. Currently, the rules impose daily and weekly limits on the number of hours commercial truck drivers are permitted to work.  Generally, drivers are permitted to work [...]

In September 2003, a Fresno California truck driver fell asleep at the wheel, causing a multi-vehicle crash resulting in the death of a father and son. Investigation revealed that the driver had been driving for 19 consecutive hours, greatly exceeding the maximum hours of service permitted by federal regulations. Ultimately, five truckers at the same company [...]

On July 9, 2008, the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure took testimony on the subject of truck weight and length regulations. Generally, federal regulations limit truck weight to a maximum of 20,000 pounds for single axles, 34,000 pounds for tandem axles, with a total Gross Vehicle Weight [...]

In a move to prevent truckers from cheating on mandatory drug testing, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (”FMCSA”) announced a new rule on June 25 that requires drug testers to check for evidence of tempering with urine samples. The new rule addresses concern over the availability and use of products designed to alter urine [...]

Truck safety advocates often battle with the trucking industry over truck safety legislation. Recently, the issue of truck weight limits took center stage. The trucking industry favors higher weight limits for more profitable operations. Truck safety advocates contend that heavier trucks pose greater risk to the motoring public.
On May 13 and 14 2008, the trucking [...]

Commercial truck drivers are subject to periodic drug and alcohol testing. A commercial truck driver is not permitted to drive with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of greater than .02. Drivers testing at this level are not permitted to perform “safety-sensitive functions”, which includes driving, for at least 24 hours after the test. A driver whose [...]

The regulations designed to prevent commercial truck drivers from becoming too tired to drive safely are only effective if they are enforceable. Most drivers are paid by the mile. As a result, the incentive to break the hours of service rules is built into the system — sometimes with tragic results.
The rules impose daily and weekly [...]

In the commercial trucking industry, there is always tension between highway safety and making money. The on-going debate about changes to the Hours of Service regulations show the kind of compromises made to accommodate these competing interests. (For an introduction to the Hours of Service regulations, see our previous post.)
In 1995, Congress ordered the Federal [...]

Commercial truck drivers work long hours under physically demanding conditions. Ensuring that drivers get enough rest is a critical component of truck safety. That is the purpose of the federal Hours of Service regulations.
Commercial truckers transporting property (the rules for passenger trucks are a bit different) are subject to daily and weekly limits on the number [...]