Last week, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration proposed new regulations that would reduce the number of hours that a truck driver can drive consecutively to 10, from the current 11. The proposal also include a number of other provisions that would include more breaks for drivers, contributing to rested, refreshed and alert truckers.

The provision mandating a maximum of 10 hours of consecutive driving time has been put out for public comment. The agency is inviting public comment for a 60-day period, starting from 29 December. As a Houston truck accident attorney, I was a little disappointed to see that the agency stopped short of announcing a complete and final rule last week. I have been anticipating a final rule mandating lower driving time for truck drivers for months now. That hasn’t happened. The agency still seems to be procrastinating about a final rule.

I have no doubt that immense pressure from the powerful trucking industry lobby is behind this procrastination. The trucking industry has already made clear that it opposes any reduced work rules for truckers, very strongly. The group, American Trucking Associations has not minced words to express its disapproval of the proposed rules. However, I believe that the rules are a step in the right direction, and will help reduce the number of tired truckers, and lower accident rates involving drowsy truckers.

Vuk Vujasinovic is a Board Certified Houston personal injury attorney who practices Houston auto accident and other personal injury cases.

For more info on how Vuk can help you with your potential case please call him at (877) 724-7800 or fill out the contact form on the right.

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