What are Georgia Trucking Regulations for Tired Drivers?

Unfortunately, stories of devastating and even fatal highway accidents caused by fatigued commercial truck and bus drivers are all too commonplace. Fatigue may cause drivers to lose their focus on the road or, even worse, to doze off behind the wheel. However, when an industry generally pays its drivers by the mile, the incentive there is to push the driver’s levels of tolerance. An Atlanta truck accident lawyer at the law firm of Apolinsky & Associates, LLC can help you understand the complex state and federal regulations governing commercial truck drivers.

As a member of the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America (APITLAmerica), Stephen D. Apolinsky has particular interest and experience in the nuances of commercial truck accidents. His track record of success, including winning damages totaling $185,000 for the driver of a vehicle rear ended by an 18-wheel tractor trailer, demonstrates his experience in the field.

Federal Regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), established on January 1, 2000, serves to improve roadway safety by regulating the activities of the commercial trucking industry. The two key safety areas addressed by FMCSA regulations are hours of service rules and drivers daily logs.

Hours of Service Rules

In an effort to combat driver fatigue, the FMCSA enacted a federal regulation limiting hours of service. In general, the regulation prevents commercial truckers from logging more than 10 consecutive hours or 11 cumulative hours in a single day. Similarly, current laws prohibit commercial truck drivers from logging more than 60 hours in any rolling 7-day period. In addition to the federal hours of service rules, commercial truck drivers may also have to comply with certain state regulations.

Drivers Daily Log

To make sure that commercial truck drivers are adhering to state and federal hours of service regulations, they must maintain logs that track detailed information about the amount of time they spend behind the wheel. Authorized government inspectors may inspect logs at any time to see if drivers comply with the hours of service regulations. Drivers who violate the rules may be fined or place out of service.

Get Help

Commercial truck accidents can be very different from automobile accidents. Often-complex laws hold truckers to regulatory standards. If you suffer injuries resulting from a commercial truck accident, contact an experienced Atlanta truck accident attorney today for a free initial consultation. We will help you get the recovery you deserve.