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Commercial truck drivers operating in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania must abide by the Commonwealth’s laws governing vehicular traffic and commerce within the state’s borders. However, long-haul truckers must also comply with key rules and restrictions established and enforced nationally by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) within the United States Department of Transportation.
A truck driver or trucking company that violates federal trucking laws in Philadelphia and causes a crash as a direct result can be held civilly liable for the consequences of their negligence, similar to if they caused a wreck by breaking a local traffic law. You should be aware of some important federal regulations to proactively enforce your rights after a truck accident. A seasoned attorney can provide you with more details during a private initial meeting.
How Long Can Truck Drivers Legally Stay on the Road?
To minimize the risk of overly fatigued truck drivers causing traffic accidents because they are too tired to drive safely, FMCSA trucking laws set strict limitations on how long commercial truck drivers in Philadelphia can work within certain periods of time.
First, no truck driver can drive for more than 11 total hours in a single working day or drive more than 14 hours after initially going on duty during a single working day. These periods are only reset by an off-duty period of at least 10 consecutive hours.
In addition, truck drivers must take a break of at least 30 minutes once they have driven for a cumulative total of 8 hours during a single on-duty shift. However, they do not necessarily have to go off-duty during this period, so long as they are not behind the wheel.
Finally, no truck driver can drive after spending more than 60 hours on duty within a continuous period of seven days, or after spending more than 70 hours on duty within eight days. Both periods are only reset by an off-duty period of at least 34 consecutive hours.
Weight Limits on Federal Highways
Federal trucking laws enforced by the FMCSA impose strict restrictions on how heavy tractor-trailers can be while traveling on interstate highways in Philadelphia or on routes that cross state lines. The primary restriction prohibits trucks from traveling on interstate highways or routes with a maximum total gross weight rating exceeding 80,000 pounds—this limit represents the maximum weight across the cab, trailer, and cargo combined.
In addition, no truck can carry more than 20,000 pounds of weight on a single axle or more than 34,000 pounds on one tandem axle group, with the truck’s gross vehicle weight rating distributed equally across all its axles and axle groups. Pennsylvania law broadly imposes the same restrictions on in-state traffic, although trucking companies can apply for special permits to take oversized loads over preapproved routes within state lines.
Learn More About Federal Trucking Laws From a Philadelphia Attorney
A truck driver who follows all rules applicable to local Pennsylvania traffic can still be deemed negligent if they cause a wreck by violating federal trucking laws in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, proving that such a violation was the main and direct cause of an otherwise preventable wreck can be deceptively complex to accomplish without assistance—as many truck wreck victims learn the hard way.
Guidance from a capable truck accident lawyer will significantly affect how effectively you can enforce your rights and what compensation you can receive for your crash-related losses. Learn more by calling the experienced lawyers at Lowenthal & Abrams, PC today.
