Which Laws Regulate Driver Behavior
Hours of service rules govern how many hours a driver can work per week or per day. Depending on the company, these regulations may also dictate the amount of rest a driver must get between shifts. New rules enacted by the FMCSA require fleets to record HOS data through approved electronic tracking devices. Bad driving practices, such as speeding, are costly and dangerous. Fortunately, there are several laws in place to protect truckers and their passengers.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the main agency in charge of regulating commercial motor vehicles. These regulations apply to any vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of more than 10,000 pounds. They monitor driver licensing and safety practices. The Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for overseeing interstate trucking on public roads. State regulation applies to intrastate activities, such as trucks operated within a state. Oftentimes, these state regulations are similar to federal requirements.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates commercial motor vehicles. This law applies to all passenger cars and passenger trucks with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of more than 10,000 pounds. The DOT oversees interstate trucking on public roads. Meanwhile, state regulations regulate intrastate activities. The FMV is responsible for interstate trucking on public roads. Finally, states are responsible for intrastate motor vehicle activity. A carrier operating within a state must follow state regulations.
A few examples of the laws that restrict driver behavior include seat belt use in passenger cars. Since 1968, 49 states have enacted seat belt laws. However, these laws have a limited scope and vary from state to state. The purpose of these laws is to protect passengers and drivers. Generally, however, they are designed to keep people safe. In addition to regulating the behavior of motorists, they also prohibit certain types of driving, including texting, driving while distracted, and speeding.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates commercial motor vehicles. This law applies to vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating over 10,000 pounds. It monitors drivers’ licenses and safety practices. In addition, the Department of Transportation oversees interstate trucking on public roads. Most states also have laws that regulate the use of handheld cellphones while driving. The latter, known as HOS, dictates how long a commercial driver can work.
Federal and state governments regulate self-driving trucks. Twenty-one states have passed legislation regarding driver behavior. The National Conference of State Legislatures has published the current state regulations. The Federal Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides federal guidelines for the design and operation of autonomous vehicles. But vehicle makers can ignore these laws or choose to enforce them through primary enforcement. In many cases, these laws are designed to prevent accidents caused by distracted drivers. These laws also protect the public by preventing unsafe driving.
