Listed below are some of the major issues the truck driver should know about motorists to avoid crashes

1. Motorcycles cause much crashes

Motorcycles are less in number when compared to the trucks and cars on the road, but Motorcycles cause much crashes when compared to other vehicles on the road.

2. Motorcycle may look farther away than it is

It may be a difficult task for truck drivers to predict the speed of a motorcycle. Hence, truck drivers should always predict that a motorcycle is closer than it looks.

3. Motorcycle can be easily hidden

Motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car's blind spots. Truck drivers should carefully check traffic before changing lanes or turning at intersections.

4. Do not follow too closely

Sometimes motorcycles may slow down by downshifting or by rolling off the throttle without even activating the brake light. Hence, try to give at least 10m gap between the following vehicles to avoid crashes.

5. Major cause for accidents

Motorcyclist may slow down or do turns without giving indication lights which also acts as a major cause for accidents.

6. Do not blindly follow turn signals

Turn signals are not self-canceling in motorcycles; some may forget to switch it off and on. Before following a motorist’s turn signal check whether it’s real or not.

7. Be alert in Lanes

Motorcyclists often adjust position within a lane; try to be more cautious during such times because they may come out of the lane any time.

8. Consider Motorcycles as a Pedestrian

When a motorcycle is in motion, don't consider it as a motorcycle; assume it like a pedestrian (person walking on the road).

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U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced a final rule that involves the latest research in driver fatigue to make sure that the truck drivers are getting the rest they need to operate safely on the road.

The new rule by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) revises the hours-of-service (HOS) safety requirements for commercial truck drivers.
"Trucking is a difficult job, and a big rig can be deadly when a driver is tired and overworked," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

He also says that "this final rule will help in preventing fatigue-related truck crashes and save lives. Truck drivers deserve a work environment that allows them to perform their jobs safely."

"With robust input from all areas of the trucking community, coupled with the latest scientific research, we carefully crafted a rule acknowledging that when truckers are rested, alert and focused on safety, roadways will be safer" says FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro.


According to the old rule, truck drivers could work on an average of up to 82 hours in a week whereas the new rule insists that the drivers should work only 70 hours in a week.

In addition, truck drivers should not drive 8 hours continuously without taking a break and they should be permitted to take the 30-minutes break whenever they need rest during the eight-hour window.

No change has been implemented in the current 11-hour daily driving limit. FMCSA’s analysis on the difficulties in driving 11 hours will be continued.

The rule tells that truck drivers who maximize their weekly work hours should take rest for at least two nights.


This rest requirement comes as a part of the rule's "34-hour restart" provision that permit drivers to restart their work’s week clock by taking at least 34 consecutive hour’s off-duty.

The final rule allows drivers to use the restart provision only once during a seven-day period.

Companies and drivers who violate the rule could face the maximum penalties for each offense.

Trucking companies that allow drivers to exceed the 11-hour driving limit by 3 or more hours could be fined $11,000 per offense, and the drivers themselves could face civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense.

Commercial truck drivers and companies must comply with the HOS final rule by July 1, 2013 which is available on the web at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/HOSFinalRule.

Senior Utah Highway Patrol Trooper Rick Oaks says that every year more than thousands of trucks are being get caught for violating rules on Utah roads.


He pulled over a truck while our camera was rolling for a mismarked bumper, but ultimately twelve violations were found including brake problems.

"This trailer could roll down the road and into oncoming traffic it could just go until inertia causes it to stop."

Brake issues are the second most common problem spotted by Utah troopers when trucks are pulled over for inspection. The most common violation is driver fatigue.

"Fatigue is an impairment the same as someone might be impaired by alcohol or drugs. We just don't respond properly."

The new regulations under consideration by the Federal Government would further limit the number of hours drivers can be behind the wheel.

If passed, the daily total would be reduced from eleven to ten. There will also be mandatory thirty minute breaks after seven hours of driving.

Drivers we spoke with were not in favor of the changes. The trucking industry says the additional hours lost on the road will amount a billion dollars in losses.

They point out and Trooper Rick Oaks agrees, a vast majority of truckers are safe, responsible and professional.

Source : abc4.com

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Trucking lawyers in Washington should make a note on the new automated License Plate readers also called as Transponders to help officers find out the commercial drivers who are violating the Hours Of Service (HOS) rules.

Instead of waiting in line to get checked at a weight station the same check can be done on the highway using transponder.

Trucks passing through the weigh stations in Washington will be automatically screened by this technology for their size, weight, registration, and safety record.

In addition to this, the technology also helps trucking enforcement officers to check for the active hours of the truck. The State Patrol’s new software helps them to

¤ Ensure the accuracy in driver logbooks

¤ Check whether the drivers are maintaining their Hours Of Service (HOS) time limits.

Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and Washington State Patrol (WSP) has already launched more than 12 automated license plate readers throughout the state major weigh stations and entry points.

License plates and truck images are recorded every time a truck passes one of those 12 points, this makes WSP to note down the location the truck passes and also to cross-check that with the trucker’s logbook.

Recently, WSP has identified a minimum of 8 crashes where fatigued drivers had erroneous logbooks to lengthen their hours of service.

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Recently Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) have received numerous inquiries regarding the companies who use aggressive marketing tactics to sell supervisor training to employers may be subject to the FMCSA's drug and alcohol testing requirements.



Before entering into such training remember that FMCSA is not familiar with the companies as well as the training they offer.

According to 49 CFR §382.603 supervisors of CDL drivers should take

¤ 60 minutes of training on the symptoms of alcohol abuse

¤ Another 60 minutes of training on the symptoms of controlled usage of substances.

Employers should take the whole responsibility for meeting the training requirement of 49 CFR §382.603 ensuring that the training company from which they purchase training is providing training in the physical, behavioral, speech and performance indicators of probable alcohol misuse and use of controlled substances.

The employer should select the training he should attend by considering the above mentioned guidelines.

On 23rd of November 2011 U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood declared a new rule stating that interstate truck and bus drivers are prohibited from using hand-held cell phones while driving.

The joint rule from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is the latest action by the U.S. Department of Transportation to end distracted driving.


"When drivers of large trucks, buses and hazardous materials take their eyes off the road for even a few seconds, the outcome can be deadly," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

"I hope that this rule will save lives by helping commercial drivers stay laser-focused on safety at all times while behind the wheel."

Drivers who violate the law have to pay penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense and will be disqualified from operating commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for multiple offenses.

In addition to all these the particular state will suspend the driver's commercial driver's license (CDL) after two or more violations.

Commercial truck and bus companies which allow their drivers to use hand held phones while driving have to undergo a penalty of $11,000.

FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro said that "It's just too dangerous for drivers to use a hand-held cell phone while operating a commercial vehicle."

"Drivers must keep their eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and head in the game when operating on our roads. Lives are at stake."

Many of the largest truck and bus companies have already launched policies banning their drivers from using hand-held phones.

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The federal government announces that the legislation will be introduced in Parliament to make sure that truck drivers should not drive for too long, drive when they are not tired and to make them stay out of taking drugs while driving.


Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese says "the safe rates legislation will ensure safety on all roads and best practice in the trucking industry."

A Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal from Fair Work Australia will be formed to find out whether the truck drivers are being pressured to drive unsafely.

When a truck driver feels that pressure is being placed on for unsafe practices, the truck driver can contact the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal and the tribunal will make a decision for it.

He also added by saying that “there isn't going to be change in the industry overnight, but i hope this new rule will benefit truckers and for all people who use them”.

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