Department Of Transportation Regulations For Truck Drivers
Truck driving is an essential part of the economy for most states, and helps facilitate numerous amenities and modern comforts. Due to the size and reach of this industry, there are often opportunities for accidents or exploitation of employees that must be regulated. The Department of Transportation regulations are in place to help ensure truck drivers are safe on the road by enforcing licensing criteria, ensuring drivers do not spend too many consecutive hours, and setting standards for vehicle maintenance and repairs. Understanding these regulations for truck drivers can help clarify liability in a trucking accident case.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is the primary authority on regulations for truck drivers in Louisiana, though some regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) may also apply. These Department of Transportation regulations may impact both truck drivers and trucking companies, as they hold both accountable for working conditions and actions on the road. These regulations may also impact other drivers on the road, as they could influence the nature of a trucking accident case.
Whether you are a truck driver, a trucking company employee, or a driver in Louisiana, Department of Transportation regulations may impact your life. Consider speaking with Lauren Pilié, a skilled Louisiana trucking accident attorney, for more information! Call or text the Louisiana Law Lady at (504) 470-3511.
Understanding Department of Transportation Regulations
Department of Transportation regulations are common and exist in some form in every state. However, regulations for truck drivers may look different in each state. Therefore, a firm grasp of the unifying features of these laws and regulations can clarify what safety expectations are imposed on truck drivers and what the consequences are for violating them.
Generally, Department of Transportation regulations implement safety procedures in who is allowed to drive carrier vehicles, how long they can drive without rest breaks, and how they must maintain their vehicles to prevent accidents. Each of these three areas helps support road safety and prevent trucking accidents. Violating these regulations for truck drivers can increase risk and could lead to an accident.
Key Regulations for Truck Drivers in Louisiana
Since these regulations for truck drivers can vary between states, staying up to date with local laws and standards can help avoid violations. Additionally, a deep understanding of Louisiana trucking law could help in an accident. Due to Louisiana’s pure comparative negligence policy under Louisiana C.C. § 2323, the difference in fault determined by the court could impact the amount of compensation received. Though under this law, the injured party can receive compensation even if they are at fault to a significant degree, the amount of fault they are determined to bear could negatively impact the final amount of damages awarded.
For more detailed information on how the Louisiana Department of Transportation regulations could impact a trucking accident case, consider speaking with the Louisiana Law Lady today.
Licensing
Licensure requirements for truck drivers in Louisiana are much more stringent than for standard vehicle licenses. Acquiring a commercial driver’s license (CDL) involves a higher level of training and accountability, and is only issued to individuals who meet certain criteria. A CDL is required for truck drivers to operate vehicles over a certain weight threshold. As such, companies employing truck drivers are also expected to validate their employees’ licenses and make sure they comply with local standards.
Hours of Service Regulations
Exhaustion and overwork are common causes of trucking accidents in Louisiana. If an individual spends too long on the road for too many consecutive days, it could impact their reaction times, spatial awareness, and cognitive ability to address hazardous situations. As such, the Department of Transportation regulations put certain limits on when a truck driver is allowed to be on the road. According to federal regulations, drivers are not allowed to be on duty for more than sixty or seventy hours per seven to eight-day period. Additionally, they are prohibited from driving more than eleven or fourteen hours after a ten-hour required rest period. These regulations may be subject to different carrier types or state regulations.
Rest Breaks
Truck drivers are also required to take a certain number of rest breaks during their hauls. This means that a truck driver cannot drive a straight eleven-hour haul, as that would not allow them to take the required rest breaks. Generally, regulations for truck drivers require that truckers take a thirty-minute rest break for a cumulative period of eight hours. This rest break is satisfied by any period of thirty minutes spent not driving, and may not be strictly required to be spent resting.
Load and Vehicle Size
Another key facet of the Department of Transportation regulations is the restrictions on size and load for vehicles. Certain vehicles with a certain number of axles are limited to a certain load size. This is generally enforced by weigh stations along highways and is designed to help prevent accidents from overloaded semi trucks. If trucks are overloaded, the additional weight can make the vehicles unstable and could impact braking times and distances along with maintenance failures. Overloaded vehicles may also cause greater levels of injury or property damage in an accident.
Road Safety and Vehicle Maintenance
The Department of Transportation regulations also have certain expectations for behavior on the road and vehicle maintenance. Trucking companies and drivers are expected to uphold a certain standard of vehicle maintenance, particularly where safety systems are in question. Regularly replacing parts that are worn with use and ensuring that every vehicle is road safe is key to avoiding maintenance-related trucking accidents. Additionally, drivers are expected to strictly adhere to drug and alcohol regulations while on the road. Driving a truck while under the influence of drugs or alcohol could come with serious consequences for violation.
Consider Contacting a Louisiana Trucking Accident Attorney
Louisiana Department of Transportation regulations can significantly impact a trucking accident case. If a truck driver has violated any of these regulations for truck drivers, such as licensure requirements, hours of a service and drive time regulations, or drug and alcohol testing requirements. Any one of these could shift the liability for a trucking accident, if the truck driver is found to be in violation of Department of Transportation regulations. Consider speaking with Lauren Pilié, a skilled Louisiana trucking accident attorney about your trucking accident case. Call or text the Louisiana Law Lady at (504) 470-3511 for more detailed information and a case evaluation.