Trucking Laws and Legislation

Texas lawmakers are currently seeking to eliminate slower night time truck speed limits in an effort to save the state money, news station KHOU reports.

A recent ruling in Minnesota by a federal judge notes that State Patrol tactics for identifying trucker fatigue violated constitutional rights against unreasonable search, The Star Tribune reports.

A recent pilot program in Maine allowed trucks weighing up to 100,000 pounds to travel on Interstate 95 North.

In an effort to reduce the amount of accidents that result from driver fatigue, the U.S. Department of Transportation recently proposed a rule that would require truck driver fleets to install electronic on-board recorders.

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently proposed a rule that will require electronic on-board recorders for truck drivers and bus companies.

Truck drivers in this country have been restricted on the amount of hours they can work (commonly referred to as hours of service) since 1937, and this has been done to promote the safety of everyone on the roads (Federal Motor Carrier Administration [FMCSA], 2010).

Officials from Nebraska State Patrol recently stated that the new proposals that are expected to be implemented in the Compliance Safety Accountability Program will be geared toward truck driver fatigue, fitness, alcohol abuse and other safety basics, The Chadron Record reports.

Officials from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) recently announced that they have reduced the weight limit for vehicles that must meet more stringent safety standards, The Columbus Dispatch reports.

Safety directors who are worried about trucker health and safety in their fleets may soon have a new way to ensure that their employees are getting enough rest.

Fleet management officials may want to consider enrolling their employees in recurrent hazmat training courses, as this sector of the transportation industry has recently undergone some changes.