The Story Of Our Firm | En Español
 Home    Lawyers   Litigation   Why Choose Us?   Results

Accidents Car/Auto Accident information Research Center

Dangers of Trucks

in this section: Motor Vehicle Accident | Ambulance | Bicycle | Motorcycle Accident Trends | Pedestrians | Dangers of Trucks | Accident Causes | Crash Prevention | Types of Crashes | Auto Repair | NY Car Accident Lawyer | Car Wreck Trends | Michigan Car Accident | Florida Car Accident | Louisiana Car Accident | Maryland Car Accident | Massachusetts Car Accident

Bookmark This Page Print This Page Email This Page

New Work Rule for Truckers isn't Improving Safety


Survey shows truckers drive more, tired driving still prevalent


March 10, 2005 (hwysafety.org)

A new Insurance Institute for Highway Safety survey indicates that drivers of interstate trucks spend more time behind the wheel under a federal work rule that went into effect in 2004. This new rule lengthens the mandatory rest period by two hours but lets drivers stay on the road an extra hour every day. A work-week restart provision increases allowable driving hours in a 7-day period from 60 to 77. A quarter of drivers who were surveyed said they drive more than the new daily limit of 11 hours. Eight of 10 drivers said they're taking advantage of the restart provision that allows them to drive 25 percent more in a week.

While the drivers said their sleep time has increased under the new rule, they reported slightly more instances than the previous year (when the old work rule was in effect) of driving drowsy or falling asleep at the wheel. When drivers were asked about dozing at the wheel at least once in the past month, the reported percentage increased from 13 percent (2003, under the old rule) to 15 percent (2004).

"Studies show that fatigue is a significant factor in truck crashes," says Anne McCartt, Institute vice president for research. "The new rule was supposed to improve safety, but our survey shows the opposite. Truckers are using the restart provision to squeeze even more driving hours into the week."

Enforcement of work hours has long been a problem because written logbooks are easily falsified. The survey shows this hasn't changed. About a third of drivers said they sometimes or often omit hours worked from their logbooks. A proposal to include electronic onboard recorders (tamper-resistant devices that can monitor driving hours) was dropped before the new rule went into effect.

"Without electronic recorders the rule can't be enforced effectively," McCartt says.

###

If you or a loved one has been injured in a traffic accident involving a truck, you may be entitled to compensation. Fill out this short form for a FREE LEGAL REVIEW within 24 hours.


Click To Talk To Us Online

Please complete the following questionnaire:

First Name:
Last Name: *
Home Phone: *
Work Phone:
Best time to call:
City and State:
Email:
Were you a:
If other, please describe:
Did you get the other driver's information?Yes
No
Do you have collision insurance?Yes
No
Date of Accident (mm/dd/yyyy):
Approximate Time of Accident:
Weather Conditions:
Location of Accident:
What are your Injuries?
Please describe the accident and how it happened:
Were photos taken of: Accident Scene
Injuries
Was the accident reported to the police?Yes
No
Were you hospitalized?Yes
No
Additional comments:



see also:

Motor Vehicle Accident Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics: FREE information in Your State
Motor Vehicle Accident: Your State's Statistics and Laws

Bicycle Bicycle-Bike Crash - Get Compensation For Your Injuries- FREE Legal Review
Bicycle-Bike Crash -FREE Legal Review-Get Compensation For Your Injuries

Learn More Car Crash Law - Basic Information
Injured in a car crash? You may be entitled to financial compensation.

Name Phone Email
Do you have a legal question? Ask us!   strictly confidential
Your Question

Click here
for a free case review

$53 million verdict — brake mechanic suffering from mesothelioma

$13.5 million verdict — one of the very first Vioxx trial cases

$15 million settlement — man wound up a paraplegic due to negligent hospital care

$37 million verdict — 2 asbestos lung cancer plaintiffs

$47 million verdict — boilermaker who died from mesothelioma

$75 million verdict — historic consolidated trial involving men who had worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in the 1940s and 1950s

$12.7 million verdict — iron worker who was injured due to unsafe working conditions

$64.65 million award — 4 asbestos plaintiffs

$17.5 million — consolidated trial of 5 mesothelioma victims

$25 million jury verdict — brake reliner

$5.8 million settlement — failure to perform timely C-Section

$30 million verdict — 7 former power-plant workers suffering from asbestos-related illnesses

$6 million settlement — pediatric malpractice case

$14 million consolidated verdict — 5 asbestos-related cancer suits: shipyards/powerhouses/construction

$8 million settlement — obstetrical malpractice resulted in neurological deficits

$3.5 million — 2 asbestos exposure cases

$600,000 settlement — motor vehicle negligence resulting in serious injury

$44 million verdict — 5 asbestos cases, including $11.6 million awarded to widow of sheet metal worker who died of mesothelioma

$1.6 million settlement — suicide after premature hospital discharge

$2.6 million settlement — ill-fitting prosthesis caused decubitus ulcers

$1.5 million settlement — construction worker fell off elevated train tracks

$750,000 settlement — defective construction equipment resulted in serious injury to worker


Ask a Free Question:
Were you injured?

check for your response [login]
For legal help anywhere in the U.S.
A nationally-recognized personal injury law firm, Weitz & Luxenberg is committed to helping clients win cases, get the compensation to which they’re entitled and continue with their lives. In just over 20 years, we’ve collected more than $1.3 billion for plaintiffs.