FMCSA Regulations That Help Prevent or Reduce Truck Accidents

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has implemented several regulations designed to improve safety and prevent truck accidents.

female truck driver

Every year, thousands of people are killed or injured in accidents involving large trucks. In fact, according to the NSC, nearly 4,965 people lost their lives in truck-related accidents in 2020 alone. While this is a 1% reduction from 2019, it’s still a 31% increase from 2011. The good news is that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has implemented several regulations designed to improve safety and prevent accidents. Some of the key regulations that apply to truck drivers include:

Regulations on Mobile Phone Use

One of the key regulations that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has in place is a regulation on mobile phone use. This regulation states that truck drivers are not allowed to text while driving. This includes sending or reading a text message, as well as any other type of messaging, such as emailing or instant messaging. 

According to the FMCSA, they came up with this regulation after they conducted a study and found that truck drivers who text while driving are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash or near-crash than those who do not. This is a significant safety hazard, and by prohibiting texting while driving, the FMCSA is helping prevent accidents.

Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations

Another key regulation FMCSA has in place is the Hours of Service (HOS) Regulation. This regulation specifies the maximum number of hours a truck driver can work in a day or week and the minimum amount of time required for rest. This regulation aims to prevent truck drivers from becoming too exhausted to drive safely. 

Unfortunately, even with this regulation, truck accidents still occur due to driver fatigue. This is often because truck drivers feel pressure to meet tight schedules and may violate the HOS Regulation to do so. As a result, truck drivers and their employers need to be aware of the dangers of driver fatigue and take measures to prevent it.

Regulations on Driver Qualifications

These regulations set the minimum standards that truck drivers must meet to be eligible to drive a commercial motor vehicle. The standards cover areas such as age, experience, training, and physical fitness. This regulation aims to ensure that only drivers who are qualified and physically able to operate a truck are allowed to do so. This helps reduce the number of accidents caused by driver error. 

More regulations:

  • Truck parts and equipment regulations
  • Mandatory drug and alcohol testing
  • Limits on the weight and size of trucks

While this is just a snapshot of what the FMCSA does to help keep our roads safe, they give you a good idea of how seriously the agency takes its role in protecting both truck drivers and the motoring public. If you’re a truck driver, ensure you’re familiar with these regulations and do your part to help keep our roads safe. 

St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyer

If you were recently injured in a truck accident, the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann is here to help. We have over 30 years of experience and a prove track record of success. Give us a call today for a free case evaluation.

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St. Louis Truck Accident Attorney

The St. Louis truck accident attorneys at the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann can help you hold the responsible party accountable and seek the full amount of compensation you are entitled to. Give us a call today for a FREE case evaluation.