Tired truck drivers are dangerous. Federal hours of service rules exist to limit how long commercial drivers can drive without rest.
The Main Limits for Property-Carrying Drivers
- 11-hour driving limit: a driver may drive up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- 14-hour window: the 11 hours of driving must fall within 14 consecutive hours.
- 30-minute break: a break is required after 8 hours of driving.
- Weekly limits: no driving after 60 hours on duty in 7 days, or 70 hours in 8 days, depending on the company's schedule.
How Hours of Service Are Tracked
Most commercial drivers record their hours on an electronic logging device, and companies keep logs, dispatch records and trip records. After a crash, that information can show whether a driver was over the limit.
Why This Matters After a Crash
If a driver was fatigued or a company pressured a driver to keep driving, that may help show negligence. These records can be lost or overwritten, so an attorney can send a preservation letter requiring the trucking company to keep them.
If You Were Hurt in a Truck Crash
Get medical care, photograph the scene and the truck, note the company name, and do not give a recorded statement to an insurer. Then call Jazlowiecki & Jazlowiecki LLC at (860) 589-8000 for a free case evaluation. No fee unless we win. Learn more on our fatigued driver accidents and Bristol truck accident lawyer pages.
Get your free case evaluation today.