The Obama highway bill — signed on July 6, 2012 — requires the U.S. Department of Transportation to pass regulations mandating the use of electronic on-board recorders in commercial vehicles required to report hours of service.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were approximately 10.9 million large trucks registered in 2009, so this bill affects a large number of drivers and trucking companies throughout the United States.
Purpose of Electronic Onboard Recording Devices
To reduce the risk of driver fatigue and accidents that may occur when a driver is not well-rested, the FMCSA has passed a number of hours of service regulations regarding the number of hours a driver can drive each day. In the past, drivers and trucking companies kept track of this in a written logbook to prove that they complied with federal regulations.
With the use of electronic on-board recorders outlined in the Obama highway bill, there is no need to manually record the hours spent working and those spent off duty; the machine keeps a digital record. By having all of the information on an electronic device, the government may be able to better ensure that drivers are adhering to federal regulations.
Speak with an Accident Lawyer if Injured in Fort Lauderdale
Some truck drivers may not be fond of electronic or automatic on-board recording devices. But they can be quite useful if you were involved in a commercial vehicle collision and need to prove that the driver violated the hours of service regulations.
The personal injury lawyers in Fort Lauderdale at the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato have helped a number of clients build cases for accidents caused by a truck driver’s negligence. Please call our office today at 1-954-633-8270 for a consultation regarding your claim and to learn more about how the Obama highway bill may help with the collection necessary evidence.
