California Truck Driving Rules and Regulations
The trucking industry is subject to many rules and regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to keep truck drivers and other motorists safe on the road. However, those rules are often broken in order to keep deliveries ahead of schedule and maximize profits. For example, drivers must maintain strict schedules depending on the type of truck they operate:- Passenger-Carrying Trucks
- 10-hour limit: Drivers are allowed a maximum of 10 hours on the road per day after eight consecutive hours of rest.
- 15-hour limit: Drivers are allowed a maximum of 15 hours on the road per day after eight consecutive hours of rest.
- 60/70-hour on-duty limit: Drivers are allowed a maximum of 60/70 hours on the road in seven to eight consecutive days of driving.
- Property-Carrying Trucks
- 11-hour limit: Drivers are allowed a maximum of 11 hours on the road after having 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- 14-hour limit: Drivers are allowed a maximum of 14 hours on the road after having 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- 60/70-hour on-duty limit: Drivers are allowed a maximum of 60/70 hours on the road in seven to eight consecutive days of driving.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
FMCSA regulations are designed to prevent many common causes of truck accidents. The causes of trucking accidents in California can be different for every accident, but some of the most common reasons why truck accidents happen include:- Sleep-deprivation and drowsy driving
- Over-loaded trailers
- Poor truck maintenance
- Speeding and reckless driving