The Dangers of Fatigued Truck Driving
Studies show that driving after 18 hours without sleep is equivalent to driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%—legally drunk. For truck drivers operating 80,000-pound vehicles, the consequences of impaired judgment and slowed reaction times are catastrophic.
Fatigued drivers experience microsleeps—brief episodes of sleep lasting seconds—during which their vehicles travel hundreds of feet without any driver input. At highway speeds, a three-second microsleep means traveling the length of a football field completely unaware.
The Large Truck Crash Causation Study found that 13% of truck drivers were fatigued at the time of their crashes. Many experts believe this figure is underestimated because fatigue is difficult to prove after an accident.
Fatigued drivers experience microsleeps—brief episodes of sleep lasting seconds—during which their vehicles travel hundreds of feet without any driver input. At highway speeds, a three-second microsleep means traveling the length of a football field completely unaware.
The Large Truck Crash Causation Study found that 13% of truck drivers were fatigued at the time of their crashes. Many experts believe this figure is underestimated because fatigue is difficult to prove after an accident.
Federal Hours of Service Regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets hours of service (HOS) regulations to prevent fatigued driving:
• 11-Hour Driving Limit: Drivers may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty
• 14-Hour Limit: Drivers cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty
• 30-Minute Break: Required after 8 cumulative hours of driving
• 60/70-Hour Limit: Cannot drive after 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days
Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) are now required to track compliance. However, some drivers and companies still find ways to circumvent these regulations.
• 11-Hour Driving Limit: Drivers may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty
• 14-Hour Limit: Drivers cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty
• 30-Minute Break: Required after 8 cumulative hours of driving
• 60/70-Hour Limit: Cannot drive after 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days
Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) are now required to track compliance. However, some drivers and companies still find ways to circumvent these regulations.
Proving Fatigue-Related Negligence
Proving a truck driver was fatigued requires gathering specific evidence:
• Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data showing hours driven
• Trip logs and dispatch records
• Fuel receipts and toll records that may contradict log entries
• Cell phone records showing activity during supposed rest periods
• Witness statements about driver behavior
• Accident reconstruction showing signs of driver inattention
Companies sometimes pressure drivers to falsify logs or use multiple ELD accounts. Experienced attorneys know how to uncover these violations.
• Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data showing hours driven
• Trip logs and dispatch records
• Fuel receipts and toll records that may contradict log entries
• Cell phone records showing activity during supposed rest periods
• Witness statements about driver behavior
• Accident reconstruction showing signs of driver inattention
Companies sometimes pressure drivers to falsify logs or use multiple ELD accounts. Experienced attorneys know how to uncover these violations.
Holding Companies Accountable
Trucking companies share responsibility for fatigue-related accidents. They may be liable for:
• Setting unrealistic delivery schedules that encourage HOS violations
• Compensation structures that incentivize driving while fatigued
• Failing to monitor ELD data for compliance
• Pressuring drivers to continue driving when they report fatigue
• Not providing adequate rest facilities
When companies create conditions that encourage tired driving, they should be held accountable for the resulting crashes. Punitive damages may be available in cases of egregious violations.
• Setting unrealistic delivery schedules that encourage HOS violations
• Compensation structures that incentivize driving while fatigued
• Failing to monitor ELD data for compliance
• Pressuring drivers to continue driving when they report fatigue
• Not providing adequate rest facilities
When companies create conditions that encourage tired driving, they should be held accountable for the resulting crashes. Punitive damages may be available in cases of egregious violations.