Most commercial trucks that operate in South Carolina are required to abide by the regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). One of the most important requirements for drivers concerns the hours of service (HOS). The HOS are regulations that guide how many hours a driver can operate during a day and during a workweek. Now, these regulations are heading for permanent changes.
What is going on with the FMCSA hours of service changes?
In March of 2020, the federal government suspended hours of service requirements for commercial truckers for the first time in the history of the regulations. This was done in an effort to ensure that critical goods and medical supplies would still flow throughout the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, now the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced that the FMCSA is permanently changing HOS regulations. Amongst the most significant changes include the following:
- Commercial truck drivers are still required to take a 30-minute break after eight consecutive hours of driving, but their break can now use “on-duty, not driving” status instead of only using
“off-duty” status. - The FMCSA has extended the window of time with which drivers are permitted to operate during adverse weather conditions by two hours.
- Short-haul drivers now have a 14-hour maximum on-duty time they can operate, and the distance they can operate expands to 150 air miles.
The agency claims that the changes being made are designed to improve safety and will not increase the driving time. They claim that commercial truck drivers will now have more flexibility regarding when to take their breaks.
We are here to help after a truck accident
If you or somebody you love has been injured due to the negligence of a truck driver or trucking company, contact the Dan Pruitt Law Firm today. Our team will investigate your claim in order to secure full compensation medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering damages, anymore. When you need a Greenville truck accident attorney, contact us for a free consultation today so we can plan your next steps forward.