There is currently a debate underway at the U.S. Senate proposing a change to the federal rules on safety measures for truck drivers.
Last week there was a move to suspend the current regulations, which took effect a year ago. The regulations establish rest periods for truck drivers, stating that they have to rest for at least 34 hours consecutively, which must include two nights from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. before they begin their working week and limit their maximum working week to 70 hours, a reduction from the previous 82 hours. There is also a prescribed rest period of 30 minutes in the first 8 hours of work.
However, there is now a move afoot to suspend these measures, proposed by Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, as the regulations apparently have had some unanticipated consequences on the industry.
Trucker Sleep
The requested change comes in the wake of the deadly truck accident involving actor Tracy Morgan, which killed his friend and left him badly injured. Many experts believe that the controls had resulted in a reduction in the quantity of tractor trailer related trucking accident injuries and deaths.
Tractor trailer accidents are some of the most devastating and deadly on the roads. If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident with a tractor trailer, or other kind of truck, please call the Omaha truck accident attorneys of Harris & Associates at (402) 397-1200 or contact us online today.
