The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates rules and regulations on truck drivers and transportation companies to keep everyone on the road safe. California enforces these laws and punishes truck drivers and their employers who don’t follow them.
One such mandate involves the drivers of big rigs and passenger buses and the amount of time they can drive before having to stop. Drivers carrying goods can log 11 hours at the wheel, but only after getting the proper amount of rest before starting a shift.
Driving Limits for California Truck Drivers
The FMCSA sets forth regulations on truck drivers and their trucking companies to make sure the wellbeing of drivers is monitored. Truck drivers can carry 80,000 lbs of cargo in giant trucks. Drowsy drivers at the wheel can represent a deadly threat to themselves and to the much smaller vehicles they travel beside on California routes.
Drivers must get short breaks, and they must certify that they get enough time to sleep to be able to stay alert for the long trips they log. For those drivers who carry passengers to their destinations, these safety checks are also important.
The FMCSA goes over the limits on drive times for both types of drivers who handle large vehicles:
- 10-Hour Driving Limit for Drivers Transporting Passengers
May drive a maximum of 10 hours after 8 consecutive hours off duty.
- 11-Hour Driving Limit for Drivers Transporting Property
May drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
Within this maximum driving guideline, property-carrying truck drivers are also required to take a 30-minute break after a cumulative 8 hours of driving.
Punishment for California Truck Drivers Who Exceed Their Driving Hours in a Day
Commercial drivers are supposed to keep a detailed log of their breaks and their times coming on shift and leaving the road. If it’s found that logbooks have false information in them, truck drivers can face fines, penalties, and even lose their ability to drive commercial trucks.
The drivers’ employers are also responsible for making sure the federal guidelines are followed. Trucking companies or major retailers like Amazon can be held accountable it’s found they know a driver wasn’t taking proper breaks or pulling over after so long on the road. An employer might face fines and punishments if it refuses to let drivers take proper breaks.
When this carelessness and recklessness lead to accidents, victims in other vehicles can seek support from the truck driver’s insurance provider and from the driver’s employer. Drivers and their companies can be forced to provide for a victim’s healthcare costs and replace the income they lose while unable to work.
Contact a California Truck Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt in an accident and you think a fatigued truck driver was to blame, you should contact a California Truck Accident Lawyer. It’s a great way to get help with your claim. Your lawyer identifies who might have to face liability for your injury recovery costs and your vehicle damage, and then demands the support you require.
If you are a truck driver who has an employer who forces you to break Hours of Service regulations, it’s a good idea to talk to a California Employment Lawyer. A lawyer can help you collect evidence and protect you if an employer tries to retaliate against you.
