Laws help regulate certain aspects of businesses. This is to ensure that companies are run fairly and ethically and comply with specific standards. One particular sector that needs to obey these laws by the letter is the trucking industry.
The trucking industry is part of the logistics sector which drives billions of dollars in revenue annually. However, because of its size, regulations are stricter in this sector more than anything else. Therefore, if you’re an owner of a trucking business or even a driver, you must always be up-to-date with the latest laws and regulations. Here are five of the most common ones that you’ll encounter:
Hours of Service Regulations
The hours of service regulations are put in place to ensure drivers get the proper rest. These regulations differ from country to country, but they typically state that drivers can only be on the road for a certain number of hours per day or week. After reaching the limit, they need to take a mandatory break for a specific period.
There are many reasons why this law is in place. One of them is to prevent accidents caused by driver fatigue. According to the National Safety Council, drowsy driving is a factor in 100,000 car accidents yearly. It includes 800 fatalities and 50,000 injuries.
Another reason for the hours of service regulations is to promote drivers’ well-being. Getting enough rest is crucial for anyone’s health, and this is especially true for truck drivers. They often have irregular sleep patterns and are constantly on the road, leading to health problems if they don’t get enough rest.
To stay compliant with the hours of service regulations, you need to keep track of your driving time carefully. There are many ways to do this, but one of the most popular methods is by using hours of service log. It’s a simple spreadsheet you can use to record your driving hours. If you’re a business owner, consider a fleet management system instead.
There is one law you need to know about accidents, and that is wrongful death.
Wrongful Death
This type of lawsuit can be filed when someone dies due to the negligence of another person or entity. The deceased person’s family members can file this lawsuit against the responsible party.
If you own a business, especially a trucking business, you must be aware of this law. If the deceased’s family members believe that you’re at fault, they can file a wrongful death lawsuit against your company. It’s a serious matter that can have devastating consequences, so it’s essential to be familiar with it.
It’s the main reason you should always have a lawyer on speed dial in your company. A wrongful death lawyer can set things straight if the accident does happen. Moreover, they can help you prevent this type of lawsuit from happening in the first place. So it’s wise always to have them around even if you don’t need them.
Trucking businesses are also required to have insurance.
Insurance
This is a no-brainer, but it’s still worth mentioning. Every trucking business needs to have insurance. It protects the company and its employees in case of an accident. The amount of coverage you need will depend on the size and scope of your business.
For example, you might only need liability insurance if you only have a few trucks. It will cover the cost of any damage that your trucks cause to other people or property. However, if you have a more extensive fleet, you might need additional coverage such as collision insurance. This will cover the cost of repairs if your trucks are involved in an accident.
There are many other types of insurance that you can get for your trucking business. The most important thing is to make sure that you’re adequately insured. This will give you peace of mind and protect you from financial ruin if something goes wrong.
Lastly, you need to be familiar with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Regulations
The FMCSA is a government agency regulating the United States’ trucking industry. They create and enforce regulations that all trucking businesses must follow. These regulations include service hours, drug testing, and vehicle maintenance.
As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to make sure that you’re familiar with the FMCSA regulations. This is the best way to ensure that you operate your business safely and compliantly.
If you want to learn more about the FMCSA regulations, you can visit their website or read their publications. You can also find a lot of information on this topic online.
These are just some of the laws that trucking businesses always face. You need to be aware of many others, but these are the most important ones. By familiarizing yourself with these laws, you can avoid costly mistakes and keep your business running smoothly.
