How Long Can Truckers Drive During a Single Shift?
Driving a truck can be a difficult job. When a driver is tired, it can cause that individual to have a slow reaction time and misjudge situations on the road, all of which could lead to a deadly accident. Fortunately, there are rules that state how long a driver can operate a vehicle on any given day. If they fail to abide by these regulations, it can mean fines and other serious consequences.
If you would like to learn more about how long truckers drive during a single shift, the legal team at Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC is here to help answer that question.
Daily Driving Limits
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving is deadly, leading to 693 deaths last year. Fatigued driving can lead to reduced reaction times, which can turn into catastrophic accidents.
For that reason, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established specific limits on how long truck drivers can drive each day to prevent tired truckers from getting behind the wheel when fatigued. These limits are known as Hours of Service (HOS) regulations.
According to these rules, there is an 11-hour driving limit. With that, the driver is only allowed to drive for 11 hours, and they must take a consecutive 10 hours off duty.
There is also a 14-hour on-duty limit. While the driver might not drive for the full 11 hours, they cannot be “on duty” for more than 14 hours. For example, if a driver starts their day at 6:00 AM, they must stop driving by 8:00 PM, no matter how many hours they have actually driven within that period.
Break Requirements
Along with the set daily limits, there are break requirements. The FMCSA has implemented mandatory break requirements. All drivers must take a 30-minute break after eight hours of driving.
A driver’s off-duty time is also regulated. There is a sleeper berth provision that allows the driver to split their 10-hour rest period into off-duty and berth time. However, the driver must have eight hours of recorded time in the sleeper berth.
Weekly Driving Limits
Along with daily limits, the FMCSA also mandates weekly driving limits to make sure truckers do not have an excessive amount of driving hours during a single week. With the 60/70-hour limit, drivers are not allowed to drive after 60 hours in seven consecutive days (or 70 hours during eight straight days). However, the workweek clock can reset if the driver takes off 34 consecutive hours without driving.
These regulations are in place to ensure that the truck driver does not spend too many hours behind the wheel.
Are There Any Exceptions?
Sometimes, a few special provisions may be in effect for drivers. For example, if there are adverse driving conditions, such as heavy traffic and severe weather, the driver can extend their driving time limit up to two hours. These drivers are not penalized for the additional hours of service. The FMCSA realizes that these events are out of drivers’ control, and the federal agency wants to ensure that deliveries reach their final destinations safely.
There is also an exception for short-haul drivers. If the driver operates within a 150-mile radius, they are exempt from some of these driving regulations. These drivers can extend the 14-consecutive-hour driving window to 16 hours once every seven consecutive days.
Truckers and Their Employers Must Comply With Driving Regulations
These driving hour limits are not just suggestions but regulations. The driver’s time must be tracked. While many drivers used to make note of their hours with pen and paper, that is not the case anymore.
Today, the FMCSA requires drivers and their employers to use an electronic logging device (ELD) to track their on-duty and off-duty hours. This device automatically records the driver’s time when it is in use.
If a driver or company fails to adhere to the HOS regulations, they could face severe penalties. Sometimes, the driver’s commercial driver’s license could be revoked, and the company may be fined. Plus, these violations could affect the driver’s safety record.
The FMCSA’s hours of service regulations make sure that truck drivers have adequate rest and do not drive while fatigued. By following these guidelines, drivers can help prevent truck accidents in Mississippi and across the United States.
Unfortunately, not everyone plays by the rules, and some companies and their drivers may try to exceed these limits. In these cases, it could lead to truck crashes on the road. Not following these regulations is a serious breach of duty and negligent behavior, which could lead to a personal injury lawsuit.
If you have been injured in a truck accident and believe the driver (or their employer) may have acted recklessly, you have legal options in the state of Mississippi. You can contact our firm for a free consultation to learn more about what those are.
