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The Dangers of Truck Driver Fatigue

December 5, 2018

Drowsy or fatigued driving is as dangerous, or in comes cases, more dangerous than drunk driving. Driving after being awake for 18 hours straight is equivalent to driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of 0.05. After being awake for 24 hours straight, it is like driving with a BAC of 0.10. In all states, a driver with a BAC of 0.08 is considered driving while drunk.

Fatigued drivers and drunk drivers both have impaired cognitive functioning, slow reaction time, and impaired judgment. There are signs you can look for that indicate a driver may be drowsy or fatigued, such as swerving in and out of their lane, driving too slowly, or stopping abruptly behind cars that are already stopped, for just a few examples.

In its attempt to reduce the number of highway accidents involving large trucks, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established rules and regulations that drivers of large trucks must follow. There is an entire set of rules concerning a driver’s hours of service (HOS) that have been established with the intent “to keep fatigued drivers off the public roadways.”

The FMCSA rules apply to drivers of trucks traveling interstate, which means they may be traveling through Texas on their way to a final destination in another state, or they may be coming from another state with Texas being the final destination. Texas has similar rules that apply to drivers who only drive in the state of Texas.

The HOS regulations puts limits on when and how long a driver may drive without a break. The purpose is to reduce the number of fatigued and drowsy truck drivers on the road which will result in an overall reduction in the number of trucking accidents. An overview of those regulations include:

Drivers must keep a log book where they record their driving time and their breaks. The rules are somewhat complex, but the Guidebook has examples and exceptions to rules so drivers can carry it with them and consult it to be sure they are following the rules. Unfortunately, that is not enough to still keep fatigued truck drivers off the road.

In order to try and prevent accidents, the FMCSA has inspection stations across the country where, among other things, they check the truck driver's log books. In 2017, there were a number of violations. For example, there were:

Drivers are often on strict deadlines to deliver cargo. They push themselves past the time-limits of the regulations in order not to jeopardize their working arrangement with the employer.

Some employers offer financial incentives to drivers who deliver cargo early. Other companies pay drivers per mile driven. The risk of being given a citation for driving past the hour limitation may pale in comparison to drivers pushing themselves so they can get a bonus.

Employers who overlook the fact that  truck drivers exceed driving time limits, and turn a blind eye to violations of the time regulations, may also be held liable for their drivers who are involved in accidents due to driving while fatigued.

In addition to the fatigued truck driver who caused the accident, there are times when the driver’s employer may also be held responsible for the accident under a theory of vicarious liability. The company may have been negligent in their hiring or supervising of the driver. It may also be liable for encouraging drivers to drive while fatigued in order to meet deadlines or earn bonuses.

If you were injured in an accident with an 18 wheeler, or someone you love was killed in such an accident, contact our personal injury attorneys at CPM Injury Law, P.C. We offer a free consultation.

CPM Injury Law, P.C. provides individuals injured through someone else’s negligence personally tailored legal services. Learn about your legal rights and resources below.Call (512) 371-6101 for a free consultation.