How to Report Trucking Violations

Large commercial trucks transporting goods are a key aspect of our nation’s supply chain, responsible for bringing goods into communities and delivering products and services that are invaluable to our lives. However, the massive size of commercial trucks presents a safety hazard to smaller family vehicles in traffic accidents, often leading victims to seek the help of a St. Louis truck accident attorney to understand their legal options. All parties involved in the commercial truck industry have the responsibility to carefully follow safety regulations and guidelines put into place by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). If one or more parties neglect their duty of proper care, it’s critical to report the violation to prevent a foreseeable accident from occurring.

What Common Trucking Violations Should Be Reported?

It takes many entities working together to put a safe, fully loaded truck on the roadway, including the driver, the trucking company, truck maintenance companies, freight loaders, and manufacturers of truck parts and equipment. When a trucking company or driver violates their responsibility or fails to adhere to regulations, the results can be disastrous. Common trucking regulation violations include the following:

• Driving log violations: Drivers must carefully log their driving hours to ensure compliance with driving limits and an adequate number of breaks, mealtimes, sleeping, and off-duty hours to prevent fatigued driving. Failing to maintain an honest and accurate logbook is a major violation of FMSCA regulations
• Violating hours of service regulations: The FMSCA places strict limits on driving hours, the number of breaks per shift, and the number of off-duty days between shifts to ensure a driver has adequate rest, making it less likely for a drowsy driving accident to occur. Some trucking companies or drivers may exceed these limits when they face time restraints or set unrealistic delivery deadlines
• Truck maintenance violations: Truck drivers have a legal duty to inspect their trucks and trailers for maintenance and repair problems before going out on the road. Trucking companies must also provide routine maintenance to trucks and trailers. Failing to properly maintain a truck and trailer can cause accidents due to failure of critical systems such as steering, braking, or failed trailer or hitch equipment
• Maintenance log violations: trucking companies not only have to provide maintenance, but they must also keep meticulously accurate logs of all routine maintenance and repairs for an accurate record
• Tire tread violations: Well-maintained trucks and good tires with adequate tread are essential for driving safety. Truck drivers and trucking companies violate their responsibility when they allow trucks on the road with worn or damaged tires
• Driver medical violations: Trucking companies require drivers to undergo regular physicals to ensure that they are medically fit to drive a large commercial truck. Failing to require routine medical examinations is a violation of FMCSA regulations
• Substance abuse violations: Trucking companies must require drug and alcohol testing for drivers before hiring and at random intervals throughout employment

Trucking companies and their employees must adhere to all FMCSA regulations as well as common traffic laws.

Reporting Truck Driver or Trucking Company Violations In Missouri

When someone witnesses a violation or learns that a trucking company, driver, or other involved entity has violated FMCSA regulations, it’s important to report the violation. Reporting another party’s misdeeds or negligence may you feel guilty or like a snitch, but these rules are in place to protect innocent lives on the road. You can report trucking violations in the following ways:

• Through an online complaint form from the Missouri Department of Transportation
• Report directly to the FMCSA through the online form or by calling 1-888-DOT-SAFT (368-7238) from 8 am‒8 pm, Monday through Friday during business hours

When a trucking violation in Missouri causes an accident, the most common injury victims are those in other vehicles, not the truck driver. Reporting problems helps to ensure the safety of others sharing the roads with commercial trucks. For help with your case, let the St. Louis personal injury attorneys from Miller & Hine handle your case.