The U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently changed its Hours of Service (HOS) rules to require drivers to spend less time per week on the road and to sleep when the human body is sleepiest, between midnight and 5 a.m., on their days off. These changes were intended to reduce truck driver fatigue, a key source of truck accidents.
The rule changes left the number of hours a driver may be behind the wheel in one day at 11 hours total. However, some say that this number will be reduced in the future, despite protests from the trucking industry that reducing it will hurt productivity and force them to hire additional drivers, thus raising the cost of shipping goods by tractor-trailer.
The 11-hour day was introduced in 2003. Prior to that time, drivers could not spend more than 10 hours a day behind the wheel. During the most recent rule change, the FMCSA said that it was generally in favor of a 10-hour day as opposed to an 11-hour day, but it did not yet have the science to back up a change. However, data collection by the FMCSA on accidents caused by extra driving may soon back up a retreat to the original 10-hour rule.
At Page Law, our experienced truck accident lawyers in St. Louis have handled hundreds of cases in which the negligence of a truck driver, trucking company, maintenance crew, and/or truck parts manufacturer or distributor has caused serious injuries. We can help you build a strong case that protects your rights and fights for the compensation you need after a crash. Call our office today at (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential consultation.
