Truckers Hauling Fireworks Exempted from Safety Regulations in Houston

If you are counting on the federal government to protect you from a Houston trucking accident, think again.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has suspended work-hour rules for truckers who are hauling fireworks this weekend! FIREWORKS! 

Three thousand commercial drivers hauling fireworks across the country are permitted to work longer than the 14-hour work days permitted truckers behind the wheel. The exemption was granted to 53 motor carrier operations on behalf of the American Pyrotechnics Association and runs from June 28 to July 8.

Our Houston trucking accident lawyers understand the high risk tired truckers pose to other motorists on the road. As we reported in March on our Houston Truck Accident Law Blog, 16.5 percent of all fatal accidents nationwide involve a fatigued driver; authorities believe the problem is particularly acute in the commercial driving industry.

Late last year, FMCSA proposed new hours-of-service regulations for the trucking industry, requiring at least 34 hours off before restarting a trucker's 60- or 70-hour workweek. Left open was whether drivers should be limited to 10 or 11 hours of drive time.

"A fatigued driver has no place behind the wheel of a large commercial truck," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "We are committed to an hours-of-service rule that will help create an environment where commercial truck drivers are rested, alert and focused on safety while on the job."

Paper log books often make a mockery of the law anyway; forged log books have long permitted a driver to drive pretty much however much he wants. Safety advocates continue to push for data recorders similar to the black boxes used by airlines -- a standard the federal government has been particularly slow to adopt.

The feds are currently holding a listening tour on the proposed changes -- which also include expanding a driver's permitted work hours to 16 hours at least twice a week.

If you have been involved in an accident in the Houston area, contact The Stephens Law Firm for a free consultation to discuss your rights. You may also request your free copy of Attorney Stephens' books, the Texas Accident Bible, A Survivor's Legal Guide and Hiring the Right Attorney. Call today at 713-224-0000 or <a href="http://www.joestephenslaw.com/contact.html">contact us through this website</a>.