Importance of Proper Maintenance for Trucks

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires at least one Period Maintenance Inspection in a 12-month period for trucks and vehicles.

How often should a truck be maintained?
This answer varies but there are a few different things to keep in mind. You can conduct maintenance checks on a regular basis based on:
The truck makes and models
Oil viscosity
Age of the vehicle
Time of year
Operating environment

Moreover, trucks’ safe operation on the road and the prevention of accidents both require regular maintenance. Among the most important ways that truck maintenance helps in accident prevention are:
Improving Vehicle Safety: Any potential safety issues, such as worn brakes or defective tires, can be identified and fixed during routine maintenance and inspections before they result in accidents.
Maintaining Vehicle Performance: The chance of truck breakdowns and malfunctions on the road is reduced by regular maintenance, which helps to ensure that trucks are performing at their best.
Complying with Regulations: Commercial trucks must be inspected and maintained on a regular basis in accordance with state and federal regulations. Failure to do so could result in penalties and fines.
Protecting the Environment: Proper maintenance of trucks can also help to reduce emissions and protect the environment by improving fuel efficiency and reducing pollution.
Improving Driver Confidence: When trucks are well-maintained, drivers are better prepared to deal with unforeseen circumstances on the road and have greater confidence in their vehicles

Proper truck maintenance is essential for ensuring the safety of truck drivers, passengers, and other drivers on the road, and it is the responsibility of trucking companies to maintain their vehicles to excellent standards.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident due to the fault of someone else, Darfoor Law Firm is here to help you and give you the best service you deserve. Accidents can be tough to deal with and you need someone who will understand, sympathize, and fight for you.
Call us at +1-833-DARFOOR for a free consultation and case evaluation.

 

 

 

Trucking regulations for Accident Prevention

By establishing guidelines for safe trucking practices and operations, trucking regulations play a crucial role in accident prevention. These are some of the most important rules:

Hours of Service (HOS) Rules: In order to prevent driver fatigue, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established regulations that restrict the number of hours a truck driver can work in a given time period.
The number of consecutive hours that a truck driver can drive without taking breaks is limited. When transporting passengers or cargo, drivers are typically required to adhere to a daily driving limit of 10 hours. Drivers in possession of the only property are permitted to drive in Florida for up to 12 hours per day.
The number of hours a driver can work in a 6- to 8-day period is also limited by federal and Florida state law. They need a 34-hour break to “reset” the period of six to eight consecutive days.

Vehicle Maintenance Requirements: FMCSA establishes requirements for regular inspections and maintenance. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) states that vehicles entering Florida must have the required permits since Florida has no port of entry.

Driver Qualification Standards: There are standards for driver training, licensing, and medical qualifications to ensure that drivers are qualified to operate their vehicles.

Loading and Weight Limits:  There are specific regulations for a truck’s length, width, weight, and height.
Florida regulates the length, width, weight, and height of commercial vehicles.
Length: For most trucks, the limit is 75 feet in total, but for a truck tractor or a truck tractor-trailer combination, the length is up to 65 feet.
Width: The truck width cannot be higher than 102 inches. However, trucks with a width greater than 96 inches might be prohibited from entering public roads or certain roads that aren’t built large enough for them
Weight: The gross vehicle weight of a commercial vehicle can be up to 80,000 pounds.
Height: Florida commercial trucks cannot exceed 13.5 feet. Automobile conveyors are allowed to be at least 14 feet high.

Substance Abuse Testing: Drug and alcohol testing of truck drivers is required to help prevent drunk driving.

Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): The use of electronic logging devices are required to monitor a driver’s hours of service and ensure compliance with HOS rules.
Enforcing these regulations can prevent truck accidents caused by impaired and unsafe driving.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident due to the fault of someone else, Darfoor Law Firm is here to help you and give you the best service you deserve. Accidents can be tough to deal with and you need someone who will understand, sympathize, and fight for you.

Call us at +1-833-DARFOOR for a free consultation and case evaluation.