What Laws Regulate Truck Drivers in New Jersey?

Commercial trucks and standard motor vehicles share many New Jersey roads. But for this to be safe, these drivers must abide by explicit driving rules and regulations. Specifically, commercial truck drivers are arguably held to a higher standard and given a separate subset of laws. If these laws are neglected, they may leave themselves and other innocent drivers vulnerable to a catastrophic collision. That said, please continue reading to learn the laws regulating truck drivers and how an experienced Passaic County truck accident lawyer at the Law Offices of August R. Soltis can help decipher whether any violations triggered your accident event.

What laws are set to regulate truck drivers in the state of New Jersey?

Simply put, New Jersey observes Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, but also enforces state-specific laws to govern truck drivers. Below is a glimpse into these laws:

• FMCSA rules and regulations:
  • Hours of service: a truck driver must not drive for longer than 11 hours within a 14-hour shift, and must take 10 hours off duty after a 14-hour shift, for example.
  • Vehicle maintenance: a trucking company must conduct routine inspections and maintain detailed records of maintenance history, for example.
  • Drug and alcohol testing: a truck driver must submit to a drug and alcohol test before employment, and random tests during employment, for example.
• New Jersey state rules and regulations:
  • Weight limits: a truck must not weigh more than 80,000 pounds when navigating certain New Jersey highways, for example.
  • Route restrictions: a truck must not pass through certain roads, like residential or environmentally sensitive areas, for example.
  • Hazardous materials: a truck driver must obtain certain permits before transporting hazardous materials throughout the state, for example.

What if a truck driver causes an accident after a law violation?

These laws are in place for a reason: to prevent truck accidents that are likely catastrophic due to the sheer size and weight of these commercial vehicles alone. We are sorry to hear that you were involved in such a disastrous event, and we believe you when you say you suspect a law violation contributed to it.

For example, you may have noticed a truck driver seemingly losing control over the commercial vehicle in the moments before your ultimate collision. With this, you may believe they perhaps fell asleep behind the wheel or were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

If so, you must have a responding law enforcement officer order a truck driver to a breathalyzer test. After all, they must comply with the FMSCA’s drug and alcohol testing rule. Then, we may assist you in acquiring the truck driver’s work schedule to determine whether their shift was longer than the federal limit. Or, you may get lucky with a truck driver’s admission of fault in saying they neglected to take their scheduled and mandatory shift break.

This is all to say that you may be well within your rights to sue a negligent truck driver or trucking company for your unnecessary pain and damages. To conclude, if you believe you were wrongfully made the victim of an accident involving a truck driver, please reach out to a skilled Passaic County auto accident lawyer. Our team at the Law Offices of August R. Soltis is ready and able to come to your aid.