Driver Fatigue’ Category
New Trucking Rules Are a Disappointment
Monday, December 26th, 2011
Last week, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration finally released its new rules governing the Hours of Service for truck drivers. The new rules are a disappointment, to say the least. The agency has retained the 11 work hour rules that are currently in place, while Houston truck accident attorneys and trucking safety groups had been calling for a reduction in those hours to 10. As a Houston truck accident attorney, I have supported a reduction in truck work hour rules in order to reduce the number of fatigue -related truck accidents that occur in...
Federal Panel Recommends Tough Approach to Sleep Apnea among Truck Drivers
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011
Two federal trucking safety panels have advised the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that the agency should toughen its approach to the diagnosis and treatment of truck drivers who suffer from sleep apnea.
The recommendations were made by the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee and the Medical Review Board. Both committees will also collaborate to produce final recommendations for a rule that will set the standards for the evaluation of drivers for sleep apnea. The recommendations made by the boards could include such conditions as immediate disqualification of a truck driver if he falls asleep at the wheel of a...
Ban on Hand-Held Cell Phone Use for Truck Drivers Effective Soon
Wednesday, December 7th, 2011
In the next few weeks, a ban on the use of handheld cell phones by commercial truck drivers will go into effect. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has finalized a rule that bans the use of handheld cell phones by commercial truck drivers, except in emergency situations. The rule follows another one on texting while driving for commercial truck and bus drivers.
The rule is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on December 2. It'll go into effect about 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register. Under the rule, commercial truck drivers who use...
Health Initiatives to Promote Truck Driver Health Could Save Lives
Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011
New truck driver health initiatives being employed by a number of trucking companies could save not just truck driver lives, but also the lives of thousands of motorists every year. According to statistics, in 2007, approximately 87% of all accidents were caused by trucker error, and twelve percent of these were linked to driver fatigue or medical conditions involving the driver, like heart attacks and diabetic shock.
Poor trucker health is a serious concern in the trucking industry, and many companies are now unveiling initiatives aimed at keeping truck drivers healthy. A trucker’s job is mainly sedentary, depriving...
Tanker Truck Driver Killed in Wheeler County Accident
Monday, September 26th, 2011
A tanker truck driver was killed, and another was seriously injured in a tractor-trailer accident in Wheeler County last week. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the accident involved a Mack tractor-trailer and a Peterbilt on State Highway 152. The Mac tanker truck jackknifed on impact, while the Peterbilt went off the roadway, rolled over, and burst into flames.
The driver of the Mack truck was declared dead at the scene. The driver of the Peterbilt truck suffered injuries, and had to be rushed to the hospital.
Commercial trucking can be a lonely and tedious, not to mention, strenuous...
Jason’s Law Targets Safety for Truckers
Tuesday, May 17th, 2011
A modified version of Jason’s Law, the bill that aims to increase access to safe truck stop and parking facilities, has been reintroduced in Congress. Its promoters hope that this time around, the bill which didn’t enjoy much success the last time it was introduced in Congress will be approved, enhancing access to safe necessities.
Across the country, states have been shutting down truck stops and parking facilities in an effort to cut costs. This poses a huge danger to truck drivers. When a truck driver has no access to a safe parking facility, he may be forced to pull...
Houston Truck Accident Attorneys Welcome Proposal for Reduction of Truck Driver Work Hours
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010
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...
Truck Driver Fatigue Still Contributes to Accidents in Houston
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
In spite of federal regulations prohibiting drivers from driving beyond the Hours of Service, truck driver fatigue continues to be a major factor in truck accidents in Texas.
It has proved challenging to crack down on drivers who continue to operate their massive 18 wheelers even when they are in a tired state. There are no tests to measure how sleepy or tired a truck driver was during an accident, while alcohol and drug tests can easily reveal whether the driver was impaired while driving. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is in the process of reviewing the Hours of...
FMCSA Extends Work Hour Rules for Truck Drivers Involved in Transocean Oil Clean Up Efforts
Saturday, May 29th, 2010
The Gulf of Mexico oil spill cleanup efforts involve not just specialized marine equipment, but also the participation of hundreds of commercial motor trucks. These truck drivers have been busy transporting specialized equipment and other gear that are necessary for sealing the wellhead. The trucks are also transporting booms, gallons of chemical dispersants that are being used to prevent oil from reaching coastlines, oil containment equipment and a host of other materials and supplies that are necessary for the cleanup efforts. These drivers have been busy since the cleanup efforts began, once it became clear that the spill was...
NTSB Releases Federal Safety Wish List for 2010: Truck Safety is a Priority
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
The National Transportation Safety Board has released its 2010 Most Wanted List of Federal Safety Improvements, and these contain safety recommendations for the aviation, rail, marine and transportation sectors. For an injury lawyer in Houston, there was plenty in the list to encourage.
The NTSB has focused especially hard on trucking safety for 2010. It has placed special emphasis on the installation of electronic onboard recorders in commercial trucks. The recorders can help prevent truck drivers from driving above the permissible hours by recording the number of times the truck is turned on and off. Besides, the wish...
