Florida’s highways—particularly I-95—are prime routes for commercial trucks transporting goods and materials. The commercial trucking industry depends on being able to get their cargo from point A to point B as expeditiously as possible. This often means truck drivers driving for long stretches at a time with little rest. This may also contribute to the number of people badly injured or killed in traffic accidents involving large trucks each year. In fact the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported almost 4,000 people died in truck accidents in 2011.
New federal trucking regulations
This summer new federal regulations finally went into affect limiting the truck drivers' work week and increasing the required rest period between runs. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the aim of the regulations is to increase safety by reducing the number of truck accidents caused by fatigued drivers. Truck drivers falling asleep at the wheel has been blamed for several recent deadly accidents. The FMCSA estimated the new rules will reduce the number of trucking accidents by about 1,400 each year preventing 560 injuries and saving 19 lives. The safety regulations include:
- Reducing a truck driver's average work week from 82 to 70 hours maximum
- Requiring a rest of 34 consecutive hours—including at least two nights between 1–5 a.m.—once the driver has reached maximum weekly hours
- Mandating a half hour break within the first eight hours of a shift
The size of commercial trucks such as semi-trucks, tractor-trailers and 18-wheelers poses a danger to smaller passenger vehicles and motorcycles on the roadways. It is important for all drivers to stay alert and provide trucks with extra space especially in poor weather conditions. Truck accidents often result in serious injuries or death to those involved. Common truck accidents include:
- Truck rollover
- Cars attempting to pass trucks
- Trucks executing wide turns
- Mechanical failure or improperly loaded trucks
A Florida truck accident attorney is best equipped to investigate and assess which parties may be liable for causing the truck accident