Hours of service recorders attempt to reduce tractor trailer crashes

A major recurrent factor in tractor trailer and large truck crashes is driver fatigue. Federal limitations on individual drivers hours of service are only as effective as the combination of motor carrier honesty and limited governmental inspection can make it.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a new rule requiring the presence of on-board electronic data recorders for more than 5,700 interstate carriers.

The carriers in question have evinced patterns of hours of service violations in the past. There is also the thought that the requirements could well be expanded to a broader population of truckers.

The recorders will be able to monitor date, time, location and status of the monitored driver. It is hoped this will reduce eighteen wheeler crashes and the resulting deaths and injuries.