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Federal Requirements for Truck Drivers (Part A)

If you or someone you love has been the victim of a Chicago truck crash, you may be wondering about truck driver negligence and truck driver requirements. Contact an Illinois truck accident attorney who can help you file a personal injury claim in the wake of a truck accident.

There are very specific federal requirements for truck drivers which are meant to ensure safety on the road. These regulations may play a role in your truck accident claim in the event that a driver violated federal regulations leading up to your truck accident.

Trucking Regulations: The Driving of Commercial Motor Vehicles

Listed below are some of the areas covered by federal regulations in the driving of commercial motor vehicles:

Ill or fatigued operator;
Drugs/Other substances;
Prohibition of alcohol;
Speed limits and schedules;

Caution in hazardous conditions;
Using seat belts;

Emergency signals; and
Flame producing devices.

Listed below are a few strictly prohibited practices:

Taking on board any unauthorized persons;
Towing or pushing; and
The use of radar detectors.

Trucking Regulations: Parts/Accessories Needed for Safe Operation

There are federal regulations for parts and accessories needed to ensure safe operation of a commercial motor vehicle. Some of them include:

Use of lamps and reflective devices;
Hazard warning signals;
Brake systems;
Warning signals;
Tires (in good repair);
Windshield wiping and washing systems;
Rear-vision mirrors; and
Horn.

The absence of any of these parts can lead to a serious truck accident and may constitute negligence on behalf of a trucking company or truck driver.

Trucking Regulations: Inspection, Repair and Maintenance

Regulations for the inspection, repair, and maintenance of commercial motor vehicles include:

Ensuring all parts are in good working order;
Inspection of driver/driver vehicle;
Qualifications of inspector(s); and
Recordkeeping requirements.

Trucking Regulations: Ill or Fatigued Drivers

Ill or fatigued truck drivers are not permitted to operate a commercial motor vehicle if:

Impairment exists in driver's alertness or ability; and/or
Driver is likely to become impaired because of illness, fatigue or any other cause.

In either of these cases if safety is a factor, then a driver must not continue to operate the commercial motor vehicle. If, however, there is a situation where a hazard to others would be increased by complying with these regulations, then a driver is allowed to continue operation of the commercial motor vehicle until they are able to get to the nearest place in which the hazard is removed.

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As a service to the residents of Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, and Illinois in general, the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. will frequently publish blogs about local traffic accidents. We do this to raise awareness about the common types of motor vehicle accidents that occur in Illinois and can result in serious injuries and/or fatalities.

Common accidents include, but are not limited to:

-- single-car accidents such as SUV rollovers;
-- accidents due to hazardous road conditions; and
-- accidents caused by distracted, aggressive, and/or drunk drivers.

If you have been named in this blog or you are the victim's family member or friend and would like the blog removed from our website, please feel free to contact us and we will promptly accommodate your request.