Whether you’re new to truck driving, or a veteran of the road, going over the basics can help keep you sharp, professional, and driving for years to come. Plenty of people become lackadaisical behind the wheel and overconfident in their abilities which can lead to serious accidents; considering the size and weight of trucking rigs, carelessness behind the wheel is a simple recipe for disaster. Before you hop in the cab for another run, glance through these 5 valuable tips to stay safe on the road.
- Size Limit: They say that everything is bigger in Texas, but commercial trucks, by law, can only be so big. Trucks are regulated to be 28.5 feet for double trailers, 59 feet for single trailers, and 65 feet for combination truck and trailer. If you find that your rig is above these specs, you will be in violation of Texas trucking laws and will likely need to hire A Texas trucking accident lawyer to represent you.
- Weight limit: Texas has the same 80,000-pound weight limit as the federal regulation for commercial trucks. Do not overweight your truck as it increases odds for failure as well as breaks the law.
- Drive time: By law, Texas truck drivers cannot exceed 15 hours per day / 70 hours per 7 consecutive day stretch. You must also rest a minimum of 8 hours between shifts. This is to combat fatigued driving which can be as dangerous as driving under the influence.
- Stricter BAC regulations: As the holder of a CDL, you cannot operate a vehicle with a BAC over .04. Additionally, you cannot drive your personal vehicle with a BAC of .04 or higher, otherwise, you will have your license revoked for a minimum of 1 year.
- Safety: Ensure that your truck is up to code and that there are no issues before heading out on your run. Any mechanical error that is overlooked can cost you later.
It’s easy to assume you know everything and that you can skip the basics. What’s the worst that can happen? You’ve trained for this, or have been doing it for years. But overconfidence and carelessness often lead to ruin and can result in an accident. If you have been involved in a truck driving accident, or collision, it is imperative to hire a lawyer to help navigate you through the stressful journey. Call us at (505) 388-0066, reach out online, or visit our office, today to learn more and protect yourself and your livelihood.