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.

Truck drivers operate the largest, most powerful, vehicles commonly found on United States roads and highways. Due to the massive sizes of these automobiles, truck drivers have a special responsibility to always operate their trucks in the safest manner possible. Due to the nature of trucking, in which truck drivers attempt to deliver goods as quickly as possible, there have been a number of notable trucking accidents over the years in which truck drivers have driven without getting sufficient sleep, causing them to lose focus and clarity and eventually crash.

Last week comedian Tracy Morgan, who rose to popularity for his role on the television show “30 Rock”, was severely injured in an automobile accident involving a Wal-Mart 18 wheeler. Reports indicate that the driver of the big three had not slept in at least 24 hours. The accident, which injured several and killed Morgan’s friend and fellow comedian, occurred when the truck driver failed to slow down in response to slowing traffic. If reports that the truck driver had been awake for over 24 hours prove true, this will mean that he was in violation of federal law at the time the accident occurred.

It is not wise or fair to imply that all truck drivers engage in the dangerous practice of driving while drowsy. However, without a doubt truckers who fall asleep at the wheel pose a significantly greater danger to the drivers around them than other automobile drivers do under similar circumstances. We encourage all Nebraska drivers to only drive when they are sure that they can safely operate their vehicles. This means only driving when well rested.

If you have been injured, or a loved one of yours has been killed, in an accident involving a truck in Nebraska, please call the Omaha truck accident attorneys of Harris & Associates at (402) 397-1200 or contact us online today.