Collisions involving semi-trucks and passenger vehicles have the potential to cause tragic outcomes. Even late-model vehicles with enhanced safety features can do very little to protect against the sheer size and weight of a commercial truck.
People sharing the roads with commercial vehicles need to be aware of how these large vehicles cause crashes and also when a commercial driver or their employee may ultimately be liable for a recent wreck. A large percentage of commercial collisions occur because of something that the commercial driver does or fails to do. The risk to the general public is so high that there are federal traffic laws governing the commercial transportation sector. These laws hold commercial drivers to a higher standard than people operating passenger vehicles.
What are some of the rules that are stricter for commercial drivers?
Hours of Service rules
Fatigued driving is a major safety concern, but state-level traffic laws do not address it. They allow drivers to use their own discretion regarding when it is safe to drive. Given the possibility of employers demanding that workers stay on the road for inappropriate lengths of time, the federal government has enacted rules limiting how long commercial drivers can be on the road.
Hours of Service rules help limit the likelihood of fatigued commercial drivers causing preventable crashes. Owner-operators and trucking companies have to track how long drivers are on the road to limit the likelihood of exhaustion causing collisions.
Federal no-text rules
Laws about distracted driving are generally state laws. Most states, including Ohio, have adopted rules limiting the use of technological devices while driving. Commercial motorists are subject to a federal no-text law that applies regardless of where they drive. They should not manually handle personal digital devices while operating commercial vehicles.
Strict alcohol regulations
Every driver generally has to abide by impaired driving statutes. They should not get behind the wheel when they have had too much to drink. Most of the time, adult drivers are subject to a 0.08% limit for their blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Those operating commercial vehicles, including semi-trucks. It is illegal to operate a commercial vehicle with a BAC of 0.04% or higher.
Understanding that there are many ways that truck drivers may put others at risk could help people recognize they have the right to respond assertively after a collision. Insurance claims and even civil lawsuits can potentially help people recoup their losses after a semi-truck crash.