Why are driving hours limited for truckers in Louisiana?

New Orleans, LA – Truck drivers must follow certain regulations while working that are set by the federal government and Louisiana’s state government. One of the most important regulations that is meant to increase safety and minimize accidents is a limit on the total number of hours that a driver can work in any given day. It is possible that a driver and their employer can be fined or sued if they choose to violate the relevant trucking regulations for driving time and other related issues.

Hour limits 

Federal trucking regulations set by the Department of Transportation will limit a driver’s workday to eleven hours of driving time. There may be limited exceptions for driving in adverse weather where it takes longer to reach a destination or drivers who are on a one day work week schedule who can work up to sixteen hours in a day. If drivers are allowed to work additional hours in a day beyond the eleven hour driving window, this time must be spent engaged in non-driving activities such as loading cargo or maintaining the truck. 

Fatigued driving

Truck drivers are at high risk for fatigued driving due to their schedules and the repetitive nature of their work. When someone drives while sleep deprived, their chances of making a mistake on the roads increases greatly. There have been numerous accidents caused by truckers who temporarily fall asleep, even for just a few seconds, and lose control of their vehicle. Research has also shown that a driver who is tired cannot react quickly enough to avoid many standard road hazards. Vehicles operated by a fatigued driver have also been known to drift in and out of traffic lanes. 

Penalties for not following regulations

Any trucker who is found to be in violation of these rules will have to complete certain steps. The driver may be forced to spend several hours off duty until they have spent enough time at rest to be able to drive legally again. State police or local law enforcement can issue citations and fine the driver or their parent business. A driver who has repeat violations can receive a poor safety rating, which can affect their future employment prospects and be used as evidence of negligence if lawsuits are filed. In extreme cases, criminal charges may be brought by the federal government if a company purposely violates these regulations on a regular basis. An accident victim may choose to contact a lawyer to sue the trucker and their employer.  

Information about lawsuits against negligent truck drivers

Anyone who has recently been involved in a truck collision can receive help from an experienced personal injury attorney. Scandurro Layrisson is a firm that assists clients in New Orleans with lawsuits against drivers who are responsible for their losses. 

Firm contact info:

Scandurro Layrisson LLC

607 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130

504-522-7100

www.scanlayr.com