Trucks carrying heavy loads may travel for hours through Fargo and across North Dakota. But long hours on the road without enough rest can leave drivers tired. As a result, fatigue may affect a driver’s focus, reaction time and ability to make safe decisions.
Federal hours-of-service (HOS) rules help limit how long many commercial truck drivers can drive and stay on duty. After a truck crash, these rules may help show what happened before the collision.
Looking at a driver’s work hours, rest breaks and driving time can help determine whether fatigue or an HOS violation may have played a role in the crash.
What hours-of-service rules require
Federal hours-of-service regulations set limits on how long truck drivers can work and drive. In general, drivers must have 10 straight hours off duty before starting a period in which they can drive for up to 11 hours. They also must stop driving once 14 consecutive hours have passed since their work period began.
In addition, drivers generally must also take a 30-minute break after driving for eight total hours. Separate limits cap the amount of time drivers can spend on duty during each seven- or eight-day period.
These rules matter because fatigue can develop during long shifts. In a Fargo crash, examining the driver’s schedule may help identify whether the driver had exceeded a legal limit or had little opportunity for rest.
What can HOS records show after a crash?
HOS records can provide details about the driver’s activities before a collision. Investigators may examine records such as:
- Driving and on-duty hours before the crash
- Required rest and break periods
- Electronic logging device records
- The driver’s recent seven- or eight-day work history
Reviewing these records can help connect the driver’s schedule with the timing of a crash. Legal assistance can also help you evaluate HOS records alongside other evidence, such as crash reports and available truck data.
Looking beyond the crash
Hours-of-service rules do not automatically establish who caused a big rig accident. Instead, they can provide important evidence about a driver’s condition and conduct before the collision.
For that reason, examining the driver’s hours may be one part of determining how a Fargo truck crash happened and whether fatigue or a violation contributed to it.