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Study shows electronic devices reduce truck accidents

On Behalf of | May 30, 2014 | Truck Accidents |

Trucking companies and truck drivers are bound by a variety of safety rules and regulations aimed at preventing truck accidents. Among these rules and regulations are those covering hours-of-service. Hours of service regulations cover a variety of points, but generally identify how long truckers can remain behind the wheel, how many hours can be logged in a work week, and the frequency and length of rest breaks.

One of the major goals of these regulations is to prevent truck driver fatigue, which is a major cause of truck accidents. When a trucker puts in long hours on the road without adequate rest, the risk of an accident increases greater. And the consequences of a truck accident are great. 

Truckers are supposed to keep a log of their compliance with the regulations. This is often done through paper logs, but more companies are beginning to covert to electronic recording. This may be a wise decision, according to a recent study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

The study showed that electronic hours-of-service may reduce the incidence of truck accidents. Specifically, the study showed that trucks with the electronic devices had a 11.7 percent lower crash when compared to those without the devices, and a 5.1 percent lower crash rate with respect to preventable crashes. The results of the study back up those found in previous studies.

Those who are harmed by a trucking company or truck driver’s negligence deserve to be compensated for their injuries and losses. In pursuing personal injury litigation, it is important to work with an experienced attorney to ensure the best outcome in the case. 

Source: Fleet Owner, “Trucks with electronic logs have fewer crashes, study finds,” Avery Vise, May 12, 2014.