If you have driven for any length of time in Colorado or elsewhere, you have likely shared the road with a semi truck or other large commercial vehicle. The sheer size and weight of these vehicles can make driving next to them an ominous experience. When an accident happens involving a tractor trailer, passengers in cars, pickups or other vehicles may face serious dangers. Just how can people be safe when sharing the road with these large vehicles?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration acknowledges that fatigue among truckers can be a serious problem. When drivers are allowed to operate trucks over long periods of time on often dark and lonely highways, the chance of an accident may increase. After a long time of looking at how to address this problem, the FMCSA issued a new rule late last year called the electronic logging device rule. This will require most trucks to be equipped with technology that will monitor the driving time of vehicles.
By keeping tabs on when vehicles are driven, trucking companies and truck owners can better force compliance with the FMCSA's rules about how many hours at a time a trucker can drive. Trucks manufactured before 2000 are exempt from the electronic devices. So too are drivers who use paper logs no more than eight out of 30 days. Some tow trucks may also be exempt from the new rule.
This information is not intended to provide legal advice but is mean to give Colorado residents information about the regulations set forth by the federal government to help improve safety on the roads.
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