Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations establish enforceable safety baselines to help prevent truck accidents in Texas and across the United States.
In Texas, the FMCSA and Department of Public Safety (DPS) work together to enforce these regulations on Interstate 35 (I-35), Interstate 10 (I-10), and other major highways.
The regulations help minimize the risk of Texas truck accidents that occur due to driver fatigue, poor vehicle maintenance, improper cargo securement, and other reasons. If you’ve been involved in a wreck caused by someone else’s negligence, our Texas truck crash attorneys can help.
How FMCSA Regulations Reduce the Risk of Texas Truck Accidents Caused by Driver Fatigue
FMCSA regulations enforce hours of service (HOS) limits and mandatory rest breaks. In doing so, they help protect against driver fatigue, which can play a role in truck accidents in Texas.
Under FMCSA regulations, truck drivers and trucking companies are subject to caps on weekly driving hours, consecutive off-duty periods, and electronic logging device (ELD) requirements.
Below are details about some of the FMCSA regulations intended to help truckers in Texas stay alert and awake behind the wheel and lower the risk of driver fatigue accidents:
- 11-hour driving limit: As a truck driver, you’re allowed to drive for a maximum of 11 hours after a minimum of 10 consecutive hours off-duty.
- 14-hour window: The 11-hour driving limit for truckers must be completed within a consecutive 14-hour window.
- 30-minute break requirement: You’re required to take a 30-minute break after you accumulate eight hours of driving time.
- 60/70-hour on-duty limits: You can’t log more than 60 hours on duty in a seven-day period or 70 hours on duty in an eight-day period. This clock can be reset by a 34-hour off-duty restart period.
- ELDs: An ELD can be used to automatically track your driving time and compliance with FMCSA regulations.
- Medical qualifications: You may have to pass a physical examination to identify any underlying sleep disorders that could otherwise increase the risk of drowsy driving accidents.
What Are FMCSA’s Vehicle Maintenance Requirements?
FMCSA has inspection and repair standards that apply to truck drivers and trucking companies in Texas. These standards help ensure that truck maintenance issues are identified and addressed promptly.
Under FMCSA regulations, trucking companies are required to perform scheduled, periodic inspections. On top of that, they must repair critical safety defects before dispatching a truck.
Truck drivers have to inspect a vehicle’s brakes, tires, lights, and other systems before and after every shift. If any issues are found during an inspection, a truck may be taken out of service.
How Does FMCSA Make Sure That Truck Cargo Is Secured Properly?
FMCSA has cargo securement rules relating to force thresholds, equipment ratings, and driver inspections. These rules include:
- Force requirements: Cargo securement systems need to be able to withstand the force of hard braking, evasive swerving or turning, and acceleration.
- Working load limit (WLL): The aggregate WLL of a truck’s tiedowns must be equal to at least 50% of the cargo’s total weight.
- Tiedown formulas: Generally, most cargo requires at least two tiedowns, with one additional tiedown necessary for every 10 feet of cargo that’s not blocked or braced against forward movement.
- Mandatory driver inspections: Drivers are required to inspect their cargo and securement devices within the first 50 miles of a trip and re-check every 150 miles or three hours, or whenever they change duty status.
Commercial vehicle inspectors and state troopers perform regular roadside checks to confirm proper tiedown tension, inspect equipment for fraying, and ensure that truck loads meet FMCSA standards.