Driver fatigue has long been recognized as a major contributor to truck accidents. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), fatigue causes nearly one-third of all truck accidents. With trucks averaging 80,000 pounds, they are easily the largest and most dangerous vehicles on the road, especially when compared to passenger cars, which commonly weigh 3000-4000 pounds. Because of the catastrophic damage that trucks can inflict, it is critical that truck drivers stay awake.
Hours of Service Rules
Truck drivers are subject to federal "hours of service" (HOS) laws, which establish a set number of hours a driver can be behind the wheel of a truck. For example, these regulations currently prevent truck drivers from driving more than 11 consecutive hours in a 14 hour period, or more than a total of 14 hours in any 24 hour time period, or being on-duty (whether actually driving or not) more than 60 hours in a seven day consecutive period.
However, NTSB investigations commonly unearth two sets of driver log books, with one being falsified to justify longer hours for drivers.
To combat this problem, federal regulators have proposed a number of changes. Regarding hours of service, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has proposed several changes that would require longer rest periods for drivers. Final changes on the HOS rules are due by July 26th.
Electronic Onboard Recorders
The FMCSA has also proposed a rule requiring all interstate motor carriers to use electronic onboard recording devices (EOBRs) as a way to further monitor hours of service compliance. EOBRs will have the ability to record specific periods of travel, provide real-time information about the truck (including its specific location), provide information and facts for enforcement staff, and be tamper proof.
A rule forcing carriers with serious HOS compliance to use onboard recorders goes into effect in June 2012. However, in the wake of the recent bus accidents this spring, a bill entitled "The Commercial Driver Compliance Improvement Act" was introduced to the U.S. Senate in March.
Trucking industry associations such as the Owner Operators Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) oppose the implementation rules on recording devices. They believe it would be an inherent invasion of privacy, and that paper log books function just as well. However, safety advocates such as the Alliance for Driver Safety and Security view it as a necessary step to protect the public, since the trucking industry profits when drivers spend more time on the road.
Protection of the public, not trucking company profits and convenience, should be paramount in this debate.
