In the U.S., the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the hours of anyone driving a semi-truck across state lines. Truck drivers fall into this category and are therefore subject themselves to the rules of this governing body, one of which is the hours of service (HOS). The Hours of Service Rules regulate the number of daily and weekly hours that one individual may spend driving and working, and and also requires a minimum amount of rest time. These rules were put in place due to the high number of crashes and increased fatalities resulting from a combination of fatigued drivers, the size of the trucks and human error.
Hours of Service regulations were designed with one reason in mind, to prevent truck driver fatigue. Driver fatigue is one of the main reasons for truck accidents and truck companies are notorious for turning a blind eye and persuading their drivers to drive over hours. In order to stay out of trouble, it is not uncommon for them to destroy evidence such as drivers logs, fuel receipts, qualcomm tracking data, and other evidence that would prove to a jury that the truck company's driver exceeded the hours of service rules. Of course, truck companies will do this is because that type of evidence is often sufficient to support a penalty of punitive damages.
In 1938, truck drivers were not allowed to drive more than twelve hours, no more than fifteen on-duty hours, off duty hours had a minimum of 9, and minimum duty cycles were not to exceed a total of 24 hours. In 1939, the rules were changed and the number of consecutive hours that a driver could drive were reduced to 10, with no limit to on duty hours and a a required 8 consecutive hours of off-duty time. The minimum duty cycle remained at 24 hours. These regulations were again reformed in 1962; consecutive driving hours were limited at ten and 14 on duty hours. After 14 consecutive on-duty hours, truck drivers were required to take off for 8 hours and a minimum duty cycle of 18 hours. As of 2003, with reference to property carrying vehicles, driving hours were set at 11, on duty hours at 14, and off duty at ten hours respectively. The minimum duty cycle was listed as 21 hours. A Missouri Truck Accident Lawyer will be sure to help you out with anything you need if you have an inquiry about a specific trucking law, so don't hesitate to contact one if you have a question regarding the number of hours a trucker is allowed to work on a daily basis.
Several problems arise out of breaking these laws, not the least of which is vehicular accidents, which sometimes result in severe injury and even death. A Missouri Truck Accident Lawyer is intimately acquainted with the ins and outs of the FMCSA, CMV and HOS laws, and would be most suitable for inquires into any accidents and/or violations that may be governed by these bodies.
For more information on US Law in the State of Missouri pertaining to truck drivers, truck accidents or violations of truckers HOS, you may contact a Local Missouri Truck Accident Lawyer available in your area.
To learn more about the federal regulations and Missouri's laws pertaining to truck drivers, truck accidents, and hours of service violations, contact a Missouri Truck Accident Lawyer.
Author Resource:-
Missouri Truck Accident Lawyer Joshua P. Myers is President of Myers Injury Law, LLC. He focuses his practice solely on severe personal injury cases with an emphasis on tractor-trailer injury accidents. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, his firm handles cases throughout all of Missouri and Illinois. He can be contacted toll-free at 888-956-2487.
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