3 Common FMCSA Trucking Violations
Transport-trailers and other large commercial vehicles are an important part of the economy. They transport and deliver the products consumers use every day. Transport trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when they are fully loaded and this poses a significant risk to other drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates and oversees the trucking industry and the agency has published many rules truckers and trucking companies must follow.
While FMCSA trucking violations result in high fines for anyone who fails to comply, this does not mean that everyone follows them. Below, our Knoxville truck accident attorney outlines the most common violations, and how they cause crashes.
Missing or Outdated Logs
All commercial vehicle drivers must record their duty status. Drivers must record when they are on the road, when they are not on duty, and when they are in the sleeper berth of the cabin. This information must be recorded for every 24-hour period. This requirement is known as the hours of service rule. Trucking companies must also comply with the hours of service rule. They must make sure their drivers are complying with the rule and they must not cover up violations.
Trucking companies do not always follow the law and they even often motivate their drivers to stay on the road longer than the regulations allow. Trucking companies do this so they can make more deliveries in a shorter period of time. While fatigued truck drivers pose a danger to all motorists, trucking companies prioritize their profits over safety.
Failing to Conduct Pre-Trip Inspections
Another FMCSA regulation states that all truck drivers must conduct a safety inspection before each trip. These inspections are critical to making sure there are no malfunctioning or defective parts on the truck that could fail and cause an accident. The most common mechanical failures that result in truck crashes include:
- Brake failure
- Transmission failure
- Tire blowouts
- Steering failure
- Windshield wiper malfunction
- Unhinged trailers
Driving Under the Influence
Regardless of the type of vehicle or driver, driving under the influence is always incredibly dangerous. When a truck driver is impaired, though, the danger increases exponentially. It is more common for truckers to drive while impaired than most people think. Truck drivers have to stay awake for long periods of time as they travel from place to place. Many of them believe that using alcohol or drugs will help them stay awake.
Unfortunately, it only slows their reaction time, and causes them to exhibit poor judgment. When an impaired truck driver causes a crash, it often ends in tragedy.
Our Truck Accident Attorney in Knoxville Can Prove an FMCSA Violation
If you can prove a truck driver violated the FMCSA rules, it can greatly help your personal injury claim. At Atkins Brezina, PLLC, our Knoxville truck accident attorney can prove that a driver or trucking company violated the regulations and that you were seriously injured as a result. Call us now at 865-500-3121 or contact us online to request a free consultation and to get the legal help you need.
Source:
fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations
