5/1/2009
Truck Accidents – Driver Fatigue and Hours of Service Regulations
In 2007, there were 8,809 Alabama Truck Wrecks. Further, 136 people were killed in 2007 in Alabama Truck Accidents. One of the leading causes of truck wrecks is driver fatigue. In an effort to keep fatigued drivers off the highway the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates the "hours of service" a trucker can drive a semi-truck. These hours of service regulations are contained in Title 49, Part 395, of the Code of Federal Regulations. Under the rules for property-carrying commercial motor vehicles, a driver may NOT drive such a vehicle:
- More than 11 hours following 10 consecutive hours off duty; or
- Beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty; or
- After being on duty more than 60/70 hours in any 7/8 consecutive days.