Trucking Industry Resists Safety Regulations

Sleep deprived truckers have taken center stage following the serious truck accident involving actor and comedian Tracy Morgan on June 7th. The truck driver that caused that accident had not slept in more than 24 hours, a factor that doubtless contributed to the severity of the accident. Tragically, this type of negligent behavior is not isolated to this incident but is in fact endemic throughout the trucking industry.

Federal Trucking Regulations

Federal trucking regulations place strict limitations on drive time in between rests. These regulations, when followed, are very effective at helping prevent truck accidents.

New regulations put in place last year limit truckers to 70 hours of drive time per week and prohibit more than 11 hours of continuous driving in any single day. They also require a mandatory 34-hour resting period, allowing drivers at least two nights of rest each week.

In an unsurprising move, the trucking industry has announced opposition to these rules. This means that trucking companies are doing everything they can to have new rules repealed, allowing truckers to operate their vehicles while drowsy, and endangering the lives of everyone on the road – all to increase their profits. This type of gross indifference to the safety of both truckers and others on the road makes trucking companies liable for any damages that result from their actions.

If you have been injured in an accident with a semi-truck in Arkansas, please contact the Duncan Firm to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Little Rock truck accident attorney today.