Violation of Federal Trucking Regulations Can Cause Serious Injuries

The most common violations that result in injuries involve:

Pre-trip inspections.

Commercial truck drivers are required to perform safety checks on their vehicles before every trip to identify safety concerns and correct them before setting off. Inspections should include wheels, tires, lights, reflectors, windshield wipers, and other vital systems.

Hours of service.

Truck drivers are forbidden to drive more than a certain number of hours and days in a row to prevent drowsy driving accidents. They are also required to keep driving log books of their time spent behind the wheel, rest breaks, and other details to ensure compliance.

Truck maintenance and repair.

Drivers and trucking companies have a duty to maintain their vehicles, so all systems are working properly, as well as keep accurate records tracking the vehicle’s maintenance, repairs, and safety ratings.

Drug and alcohol use.

Truck drivers are forbidden from using illegal drugs or alcohol before or during a driving shift. Trucking companies are required to drug test drivers regularly or in cases where substance abuse is suspected.