(On behalf of Gibby Andry Law, New Orleans, LA)
So if I told you that 4,000 people were killed in one year as a result of accidents that involve trucks, would that shock you? What if I told you that in approximately 40% of those crashes, driver fatigue was to blame?
What if I told you that after 8 hours of consecutive driving, the likelihood of a crash doubles? Reports show that a driver who has been on the road for 10 hours without a break is 2.5 times more likely to cause an accident than someone who just got on the road. In the 11th hour of consecutive driving (without resting), the likelihood of causing an accident shoots up to 5 times as often.
What if I told you that after 8 hours of consecutive driving, the likelihood of a crash doubles? Reports show that a driver who has been on the road for 10 hours without a break is 2.5 times more likely to cause an accident than someone who just got on the road. In the 11th hour of consecutive driving (without resting), the likelihood of causing an accident shoots up to 5 times as often.
So, why is it that our truck drivers are allowed to drive for 11 consecutive hours? This issue has been in the news. Consumer advocate groups have voiced their opinions. Lawsuits have been filed.
Back in 2009, the Department of Transportation said it would review and reconsider the hours of service rules. In December of last year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration did make some changes, some of which went into effect in February and some which will go into effect in July 2013. For now, though, the number stands at 11. Eleven hours is still the maximum number of consecutive hours a truck driver can drive without stopping for a break. However, the subject will continue to be researched and analyzed.
So what does this mean? It means that our truck drivers, and all of us sharing the road with them, are at risk. Besides the potential for driver fatigue due to consecutive hours at work, truckers have blind spots, make wide turns, need more space and time to stop, have huge blowouts, and drift into other lanes due to wind or a lighter load. Let’s do them (and ourselves) a favor and steer clear of them when possible.
If you or your loved one has suffered serious or crippling injuries through a trucking accident, please give us a call at (888) 696-6049. The Gibby Andry Law Firm is located in New Orleans, Louisiana, and we have the experience necessary to properly evaluate cases of serious or crippling injury and/or death. Let us get to work on getting you and your family the compensation you deserve.
