New hours of service regulation to soon go in effect

New regulations for truck driving hours will be put into effect on February 27, which will limit the amount of time truck drivers can spend on the road on a given day.

Trucker health was one of the driving forces behind the new regulations, which include an 11-hour maximum driving limit after 10 hours off-duty, and a limit of 60-70 hours of service in seven to eight consecutive days.

Drivers that violate the new regulations can face penalties for "egregious" hours of service, which could make drivers and their employers subject to maximum civil penalties. Commercial drivers and transportation companies have until to July 1, 2013, to become compliant with all of the provisions.

Many trucking companies across the United States are going to fight the regulations, reported Claims Journal.

The source said the trucking companies will have problems paying for their drivers disobeying the regulations, as fees can run to $11,000 per offense, and the drivers themselves could face civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense.

New hours of service regulation to soon go in effect

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012