The Dangers of Driving Fatigued

Did you know that truck drivers have strict limitations on how long they can drive in a given day? They’re called hours of service regulations, and they exist to keep both the operator and the other drivers on the road safe. Unfortunately, not all operators or trucking companies adhere to these rules.

Exhaustion is one of the main causes of trucking accidents. Whether these fatigued operators continue driving simply to make more money or due to pressure from the trucking company, truck drivers should never push their limits. Studies have shown that driving tired is equally dangerous as driving intoxicated. In fact, Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters did an entire show based on driving drowsy vs. intoxicated, confirming the study’s findings.

Below are the official hours of service rules from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration:

• 11-Hour Driving Limit—May drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
• 14-Hour Limit—May not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty. Off-duty time does not extend the 14-hour period.
• Rest Breaks—May drive only if 8 hours or less have passed since end of driver’s last off-duty or sleeper berth period of at least 30 minutes.
• 60/70-Hour Limit—May not drive after 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days. A driver may restart a 7/8 consecutive day period after taking 34 or more consecutive hours off duty.

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Call our Nashville truck accident lawyers for a free consultation. We’ll investigate the cause of the accident and hold the responsible parties accountable. And with our No Fee Guarantee®, you won’t owe us any money unless we get money for you.