For How Long Are Texas Truckers Legally Allowed To Drive at One Time?

A: Federal trucking regulations have been put in place to reduce the number of truck accidents caused by fatigued truckers and truckers who fall asleep behind the wheel. All Texas commercial truckers who are carrying property must follow these regulations and track their hours in a logbook.

Here are the general guidelines for trucking Hours of Service:

• Truckers may not drive more than 11 consecutive hours at a time after a ten-hour block off duty. 
• Truckers may not be on duty more than 14 hours after coming onto duty a ten-hour block off duty. 
• Truckers may not drive more than 60 hours in seven consecutive days after 34 hours off duty. 
• Truckers may not drive more than 70 hours in eight consecutive days after 34 hours off duty.

Unfortunately, many commercial truckers are under pressure to deliver their loads in unreasonable amounts of time, while others are simply negligent. These federal trucking regulations are violated far too often, and truckers will often have inaccurate or blank logbooks.

If you have been injured in a Texas truck accident, it is vital that you discover whether the trucker that caused the crash was fatigued and whether he or she had been following federal Hours of Service laws. Call a Houston truck accident attorney today about your case.