Houston Trucker Fatigue Lawyer explains trucking rules designed to prevent fatigue truckers from driving on our roadways.

What are the rules on how long truckers can be behind the wheel?

The trucking regulations have rules designed to prevent tired truck drivers from getting behind the wheel. These are called the Hours of Service Requirements, and they are contained in Part 395 of the trucking regulations.

These rules discuss the maximum number of consecutive hours a truck driver may be driving and performing other non-driving work activities. These rules apply to both the truck drivers and the trucking companies. The rules for maximum driving times are contained in Part 395.3 of the trucking regulations.

The truck drivers are required to know the rules on how long they can be working, and they must record their work hours on a daily basis. The trucking companies, in turn, must make sure their drivers know the hours of service rules and must monitor their drivers to make sure they are not violating these rules.

The trucking companies may monitor their drivers by having them fill out paper forms ("driver's logs") and making them turn them in periodically, or, the companies can have computers installed in their trucks that will automatically record their truck driver's working activities. These are referred to as Automatic On-Board Recording Devices, and the rules applying to them are in Part 395.15 of the trucking regulations.

How do fatigued or tired truckers cause accidents?

If truck drivers violate the Hours of Service Requirements, they are more likely to become fatigued. This is a very serious safety hazard. Fatigued or tired truck drivers have slower reaction times, clouded judgment, blurred vision, and less awareness of risks on the roadway and driving safety rules.

If you have any questions about trucker fatigue issues, please contact us and our Houston Trucker Fatigue Attorneys and Houston Truck Accident Lawyers will help you.