Which Rules and Regulations Do Truckers Violate Most Often?
Trucks and truck drivers play a vital role in keeping our economy moving by hauling goods across the US every single day. Because of this, the trucking industry is heavily regulated to better ensure safety on the roads.
Still, in spite of these regulations, violations still happen, and when they do they often lead to truck accidents and legal disputes. Understanding the most commonly violated rules can shed light on the risks associated with trucking and highlight areas where enforcement may need improvement.
Hours-of-Service Violations
One of the most frequent violations related to regulations involves hours-of-service (HOS) rules.
These federal guidelines limit the number of hours a truck driver can operate a vehicle to prevent fatigue-related accidents. Drivers are typically restricted to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour workday, followed by at least 10 consecutive hours off duty.
Many violations occur when drivers exceed these limits in an attempt to meet tight delivery schedules or earn higher wages. Some may falsify logbooks or tamper with electronic logging devices (ELDs) to hide excessive driving hours.
These violations increase the risk of drowsy driving, which can have devastating consequences for everyone on the road.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Speeding is another of the most common violations among truck drivers.
Tight delivery deadlines often push drivers to exceed speed limits, especially on highways. Large trucks require longer stopping distances than passenger vehicles, making speeding especially dangerous.
On top of speeding, reckless driving actions like tailgating, illegal lane changes, and failing to yield at required stops are all frequently reported as well. These not only endanger other drivers but also expose trucking companies to liability in the event of a truck accident.
Weight Limit Violations
Federal and state laws have specific regulations regarding the maximum weight that a truck can carry.
These laws are to protect roads and bridges from damage and ensure stability. Overloaded trucks are harder to control, have longer stopping distances, and are more likely to experience tire blowouts or mechanical failures.
Despite these risks, weight limit violations remain a recurring issue. Drivers and companies may overload vehicles to save time and increase profits, sometimes falsifying weight records to avoid detection.
Weigh station inspections are designed to catch these violations, but enforcement gaps can allow overloaded trucks to continue operating.
Improper Vehicle Maintenance
The DOT and FMCSA require all trucking companies to “systematically inspect, repair, and maintain” all the vehicles in their fleet to ensure safety.
Regular inspections and repairs are required, yet violations related to vehicle maintenance persist. Common issues include faulty brakes, worn tires, broken lights, and defective steering mechanisms.
Neglected maintenance often leads to various mechanical failures that can cause serious accidents.
Brake violations, in particular, are among the most frequently cited infractions during roadside inspections. Truck drivers are required to perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections of their vehicles, but some drivers skip these checks to save time.
Drug and Alcohol Violations
Recent surveys found that nearly 10% of truck drivers participate in everyday drinking.
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious violation that puts everyone on the road at risk. Federal regulations impose strict drug and alcohol testing requirements for truck drivers, including pre-employment screening, randomly timed testing, and testing post-accident. Despite these measures, some drivers test positive for substances, raising concerns about enforcement and accountability.
The trucking industry continues to combat this issue through increased testing and stricter penalties for violations.
Licensing and Credential Violations
Truck drivers are also required to have a valid (up-to-date) commercial driver’s license (CDL) and any endorsements required for the specialized cargo they’re hauling, like hazardous materials. Violations related to licensing often involve driving with expired licenses, lacking required endorsements, or driving a truck without the proper permits.
Such infractions may stem from oversight, negligence, or attempts to cut costs. Regardless of the cause, these violations undermine safety and expose companies to legal liability.
Logbook Violations
Accurate recordkeeping is essential for tracking compliance with HOS rules and vehicle inspections.
Federal regulations also require truck drivers to maintain up-to-date logs through ELDs, which record driving hours and rest periods automatically. However, drivers sometimes falsify these logs to they look compliant when they’re actually exceeding their allowed hours. Others fail to update records consistently, which results in incomplete or inaccurate information.
These types of violations often lead to fines, penalties, and increased scrutiny from regulatory agencies.
At Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC, our attorneys understand that violations of trucking rules and regulations continue to pose challenges to road safety and industry compliance, and improvements in road enforcement and regulations oversight are needed.
While most truckers follow these rules of the road, the ones who choose to violate safety regulations put themselves and others at risk. Increased monitoring, stricter penalties, and better training programs can help address these issues and promote safer roads.
For those affected by trucking accidents, understanding these violations can play a critical role in seeking justice and compensation.
If that’s you, we can help.
