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How do truckers prevent fatigue?

On Behalf of | Oct 20, 2018 | blog

When driving in Texas, it is not uncommon to find yourself sharing the road with an 18-wheeler or some other large truck. These vehicles are needed as they transport and deliver many essential items from gasoline to groceries and more. However, an accident involving one of these vehicles can be extremely dangerous. This is why truckers need to be very careful to operate vehicles safely and avoid becoming tired when on the job.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Hours of Service rule provides oversight and guidance on how many hours a day a trucker can drive or work. While a truck driver is allowed to work 14 hours in one day, they are only allowed to drive a maximum of 10 hours in one day. Those 10 hours are not allowed to be consecutive as a rest period of at least 30 minutes is required after eight hours of work.

Each work day must be preceded by a period of ten hours off duty. Every new work week must be preceded by a period of 34 hours off duty. Work weeks may span either seven days and up to 60 hours or eight days and up to 70 hours. Drowsy or fatigued drivers are dangerous drivers and truckers have a responsibility to everyone else on the road to remain alert.

This information is not intended to provide legal advice but is instead meant to give people in Texas an overview of the regulations in place designed to prevent excessive fatigue among truck drivers to keep everyone safer on the road.