It’s important that operators of commercial tractor-trailers get plenty of rest. Not only does having an adequate amount of rest help truckers avoid drowsy driving accidents, it also keeps them in compliance with federal hours of service laws that regulate how long a driver must rest each day and week they work.
The problem is, many truck drivers are choosing to rest in their vehicles along the sides of highway on- and off-ramps—a behavior lawmakers and some experts say is putting all motorists at risk of an accident.
Research from the Department of transportation shows that since 2010, vehicles that were stopped along the side of the road were involved in 101 of North Carolina’s 512 fatal collisions. These numbers have prompted law enforcement to target truck drivers who have stopped alongside the highway for breaks.
According to an article from The Charlotte Observer, the North Carolina Highway Patrol has issued more than 200 citations to truck drivers who stopped along the side of North Carolina roads during the past several months.
Many drivers say the situation is a classic catch-22 of not having enough areas to legally park, yet not being able to continue driving due to hours of service limitations. Despite this conundrum, officials explain the campaign is simply a matter of placing “…focus on anything that’s a safety-of-life issue.”
The legal staff at HensonFuerst is aware of the risks truck drivers pose to themselves and others when stopped along the side of the highway. That’s why the North Carolina truck accident lawyers encourage truck drivers to plan ahead to find a safe location to stop when needed.
