All drivers, regardless of vehicle type, must comply with road rules and regulations to ensure safety and order on the streets. These laws aim to minimize accidents, facilitate smooth traffic flow, and protect all road users. However, stricter standards apply to truck drivers.
The basis for raised protocols
Compared to noncommercial drivers, truck drivers have to follow stricter standards mainly to ensure road safety. Commercial trucks operate differently than passenger vehicles and can cause greater harm in case of accidents due to their large size and weight. Moreover, trucks often carry cargo that requires special handling, which is possible through proper compliance with truck driving standards.
What are these standards?
Some rules truck drivers must adhere to that noncommercial drivers do not include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Truck drivers must follow the strict limits on the number of hours they can operate trucks to prevent fatigue which can result to accidents. This includes taking up the required rest days.
- Truck drivers must complete and pass regular health examinations to ensure they are medically fit to operate commercial truck vehicles.
- Truck drivers are subject to substance testing to ensure they are not the influence of drugs or alcohol while driving.
- Truck drivers must perform inspections of their vehicles before and after trips to ensure they are safe to operate.
- Truck drivers must keep detailed logs of their hours, vehicle inspections, cargo details and other pertinent information.
Why is it important to know these standards?
Knowing the standards truck drivers must adhere to plays a significant role in accident claims. Specifically, it is useful when proving that an injury or damage in a truck accident resulted from the truck driver’s noncompliance with laws and regulations.
Knowledge of these standards not only helps promote road safety but also ensures justice and accountability when violations lead to accidents.