Hours of Service (HOS) regulations limit the amount of time truck drivers can drive without stopping to keep them safe on the road. These rules are enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). They are meant to stop accidents caused by tired drivers.
Legal and Financial Penalties
If you violate HOS, you could face serious legal and financial implications. The truck accident attorneys at TopDog Law often handle cases where a truck driver’s failure to follow HOS rules led to a major accident. TopDog Law is one of the top personal injury firms in the US. They have helped many victims get their lives back on track.
If law enforcement discovers that drivers have broken these rules, they can fine them from $1,000 to $16,000, based on how bad the violation was. If a driver gets caught too many times, their commercial driver’s license (CDL) could be taken away, which would make it harder for them to work and make money.
Even worse punishments can be given to trucking companies. Companies that let or push drivers to go over the HOS limits could be fined a lot or even shut down. Their safety scores will go down because they aren’t following the rules, and their insurance rates may go up, which will hurt their finances even more.
Out-of-Service Orders
Being taken out of service is one of the instant consequences of breaking HOS rules. What this means is that the truck can’t continue its journey until the driver has had enough rest to comply with the regulations.
It’s possible for out-of-service orders to seriously mess up transport schedules and cost companies and drivers a lot of money. Customers can have problems with the supply system when shipments are late, especially when essential goods are involved.
Increased Risk of Accidents
The main goal of HOS rules is to lower the number of crashes that happen when drivers are tired. It’s hard for tired drivers to react to sudden changes on the road because they have slower reaction times, bad judgment, and less awareness.
Accidents are much more likely to happen when truck drivers break HOS rules and push themselves past their physical limits. Because commercial trucks are so big and heavy, these accidents can be very bad. Often, both the truck driver and other people on the road are seriously hurt or killed.
Impact on Victims of Fatigue-Related Crashes
People who are hurt in accidents caused by HOS violations often have injuries that change their lives. An accident can be devastating both physically and emotionally, and victims need long-term medical care and recovery.
Brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and internal injuries are all common injuries. Aside from the physical harm, medical bills and lost wages can put a lot of stress on victims and their families financially.
Damage to Safety Ratings and Reputation
Trucking companies that break HOS rules too often could lose their safety ratings, which are important for getting contracts and keeping a good image. The FMCSA gives safety ratings based on how well regulations are followed, such as HOS rules.
Customers want to work with carriers that have a good safety record, so if a company has a bad rating, it may be hard to get new customers. These days, bad reviews and social media posts can quickly spread information about a company’s HOS violations.
Public perception can shift rapidly, which can make it harder to keep customers and workers. If a business’s reputation is damaged, it could lose contracts and make less money, which could put its survival at risk.
Suspension of CDL and Company Shutdowns
For frequent or serious HOS violations, there may be more than just fines and orders not to operate. The FMCSA can take away a driver’s CDL, which would mean the end of their career in the trucking business.
If a company has a past of serious violations, the FMCSA may shut it down in the worst situations. When a business shuts down, it can be very bad for everyone involved. Employees lose their jobs, and owners have trouble making ends meet.
Last Updated on by Icy Tales Team
