New guidelines for truckers aimed at saving lives

It is best to avoid erratic drivers for those in Florida who are driving late at night. This is particularly true if the erratic driver is operating a large eighteen wheeler. If any driver falls asleep behind the wheel, it can be disastrous or even deadly, for the driver and any other drivers who may be on the road at the same time. This is especially true of large vehicles that can easily swerve out of control and quickly cause multi-vehicle accidents with deadly injuries.

Sadly, several thousand people die each year from bus and large truck accidents. New federal trucking regulations will be implemented by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration this month to curb the death rate of these accidents. These regulations are geared at reducing truck driver fatigue by mandating a 30 minute rest period during the course of eight hours of driving.

In addition, the new regulations also specify that a long distance truck driver must have a consecutive 34-hour period of time each week to rest and recuperate. The goal of reducing truck driver fatigue is to save lives. Compliance with the new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration guidelines are there to ensure that long distance truck drivers are operating their vehicles in a rested and alert state.

In Miami, Florida, there have been countless cases of accidents caused by negligence on the part of fatigued truck drivers. Unfortunately, many of these drivers feel a tremendous amount of pressure to keep driving, even when they are very tired, because they are paid by the mile. So, the more time they spend driving, the more money they make. According to NPR, the new regulations will put the proverbial brakes on truck drivers’ schedules and make the roads safer for all of us. A personal injury lawyer may be able to help those who have been hurt in a truck accident receive compensation for their pain and suffering.

Source: NPR, “New Rules Put Brakes On Truck Drivers’ Schedules“, June 30, 2013