Commercial truck driving is an incredibly important profession, serving as the backbone of the United States economy. It’s also dangerous, as accidents involving tractor-trailers and other heavy commercial vehicles can be quite severe in a worst-case scenario.
Thankfully, the Department of Transportation, otherwise known as the DOT for short, has taken steps to mitigate this as much as possible. One such step is the 14-hour rule – understanding what it is and what it means for truck drivers is the key to making the most informed decisions possible moving forward.
What is the DOT 14-Hour Rule?
As the name implies, the DOT 14-hour rule is a new rule that says that a truck driver can only work a maximum of 14 consecutive hours within a single 24-hour period. This is to limit the amount of time that one person can spend on duty during a work day, thus reducing fatigue and helping to curb accidents across the country.
What Other Time-Based Rules Does the DOT Enforce?
Note that the 14-hour rule is hardly the only (or even the first) time-based rule that the Department of Transportation enforces. Others include the following.
11-Hour Rule
The 11-Hour Rule states that drivers are allowed to drive a maximum of 11 hours during 14 hours. This limits the amount of time they can spend actively driving, hopefully giving them more than enough time to rest and recover before they get back on the road.
70-Hour Rule
The 70-Hour Rule limits the total number of hours a driver can work in a 7-day or 8-day period. Once they hit 70 hours of time spent performing the duties of their job, they need to rest for at least 34 hours in a row before they can begin what is considered to be a new work week.
How Do DOT Time Rules Work Together?
The Department of Transportation’s time-based rules all work together to help create more of a work/life balance for truck drivers everywhere. Collectively, they give truckers rest periods that make sense – hopefully minimizing the amount of fatigue they experience while still allowing them to achieve maximum productivity on behalf of their employer.
The 14-hour rule includes both driving and other duties like loading and unloading, for example. The 11-hour rule relates specifically to driving time, giving the trucker three additional hours for non-driving activity.
How are Driver Hours of Service (HOS) Tracked?
In the modern era, driver hours of service are tracked automatically through electronic logging devices provided by their employer. These devices automatically record not only the amount of time someone spends driving, but also the length of time that the truck’s engine is on, and other essential information. It is actually mandated that commercial drivers use electronic devices that are compliant with all current rules and regulations.
These devices sync with the vehicle’s engine to track the driver’s time behind the wheel and help make sure that they do not exceed daily and weekly driving limits. These devices also allow for easier enforcement of current commercial trucking rules by law enforcement agencies, as they can access a driver’s log data during roadside inspections.
The Importance of the 14-Hour Rule
Again – the number one reason why the 14-hour rule is important and why it’s in place at all has to do with helping to cut down on driver fatigue as much as possible.
It’s been said that fatigue is the number one cause of truck driving-related accidents in the United States. Think about how dangerous it can be to get behind the wheel of a standard passenger vehicle if you haven’t slept for many hours or if you’ve been on the road for long periods of time. They have rest stops alongside most major turnpikes for a reason.
Now, multiply the dangers of that situation exponentially when you consider how large commercial vehicles are and you begin to get a sense of just how devastating fatigue is.
From a logistical perspective, the rule also encourages better planning and scheduling for transportation companies, helping drivers and managers stay within legal driving limits while still meeting delivery deadlines.
Who Needs to Follow the New 14-Hour Rule?
The 14-hour rule established by the Department of Transportation applies to any commercial truck driver who is taking part in interstate commerce. This includes those who are transporting loads across state lines, as well as those who are working in long-haul transportation.
Consequences of Violating the 14-Hour Rule
In addition to potentially severe fines and penalties, any drivers found to violate the 14-hour rule will go through increased scrutiny (and likely audits) in the future. They’ll probably start to see repeated inspections from regulators that they weren’t previously subject to in the past.
From a broader perspective, one of the biggest consequences of violating the 14-hour rule has to do with the legal liability that all parties expose themselves to. In the event of an accident, especially one involving driver fatigue, violating the 14-hour rule can lead to legal actions and claims for negligence. This could be costly for the driver or the trucking company.
Driver Challenges & Concerns
Obviously, the number one challenge concerning the 14-hour rule is the time pressure that drivers are normally under. Drivers are hired to meet delivery deadlines and they must do so without working too long or violating the 14-hour limit in any way. This could have an impact on their earnings, which could make it more difficult to enjoy the type of career they had always seen for themselves.
Strategies to Manage Drive Time Within the 14-Hour Limit
Luckily, there is a wide range of strategies that can be used to manage drive time within the 14-hour limit moving forward.
Maybe the number one best practice that all parties should follow involves effective, proactive route planning. Careful planning can help drivers optimize their driving hours, avoid traffic delays, and reduce the chances of running out of available driving time before reaching their destination. It’s not a foolproof way to avoid issues, but it will go a long way towards mitigating risk from unexpected delays versus heading out onto the road without a plan.
But beyond that, drivers need to know their limits and make smart decisions whenever possible. Drivers must be mindful of the time they spend not only on the road but loading and unloading as well. Practice time management skills to make the most of the time you do have available for the best results.
If you’re interested in finding out even more information about the new 14-hour rule for truck drivers, or if you have any additional questions about rules and regulations that you’d like to go over in a bit more detail, please don’t hesitate to contact Advanced Commercial Capital today.