Most truckers in Indiana need to comply with state and federal law. Any trucker who travels on the interstate—or between states—is subject to federal rules. While strictly local truckers only have to follow state rules, there is substantial overlap between state and local regulations. Understanding the truck industry regulations in Terre Haute is critical to determining fault in trucking accidents.
Indiana’s trucking laws help keep motorists safer on the road. While they may seem strict, it is critical to remember just how heavy trucks are. In a wreck, they can do substantial damage to other vehicles. When truckers and other motorists understand all of the rules of the road, as a tenacious truck accident attorney can explain, the risk of devastating wrecks is much smaller.
Commercial trucks have size and weight limits and regulations that must be followed in Terre Haute. Any trucker who needs to haul a larger load must get permission to carry an oversized load. The limits prevent or reduce damage to roads and bridges and help reduce the risk that trucks pose to other vehicles on the road.
The maximum gross weight for a big rig is 80,000 pounds. The maximum single axle weight is 20,000 pounds. It is 34,000 pounds for a tandem axle and 50,000 pounds for a tri-axle. The maximum wheel weight is 800 pounds per inch of tire width. Those weights are the maximum weights for the largest trucks that are not carrying oversized loads. They are not the maximum weights for all vehicles. Smaller trucks have smaller weight limits. Truckers should look at the weight rating of their specific vehicle.
Indiana limits vehicle size in addition to weight. The maximum width is 8.5 feet, the height is 13.5 feet, the length for a single vehicle is 45 feet. The length for a combination vehicle is 60 feet. In addition, the size and weight limits are maximums. Some roads and bridges may not be capable of handling these maximum weights, widths, or heights. They will be labeled with their limits, and truckers must observe them.
Some of the most important regulations and rules for Terre Haute truckers concern hours of service. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Indiana State Police enforce these rules to help reduce drowsy driving. Trucker fatigue is a substantial problem—it is as dangerous for truckers to drive when they are tired as it is for them to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Indiana follows the federal hours of service regulations. Drivers are limited to 11 hours during 14 hours. They must take a 30-minute break after 8 consecutive hours of driving. Once the trucker reaches the 11-hour limit, they must take a 10-hour break before they drive again.
The federal hours of service requirements only apply when someone is driving on the interstate. Interstate driving occurs when someone carries passengers or goods across state lines. While state law does not impose the same service hour restrictions on strictly intrastate driving, many local companies do. Not following the same—or at least similar—guidelines could set up a trucker for negligence allegations.
Indiana’s maximum highway speed limit is 70 miles per hour, while the speed limit on most highways is 60 miles per hour. These limits apply to commercial vehicles, including trucks and passenger vehicles. However, trucks may have lower speed limits under certain conditions, such as bad weather or construction zones.
More importantly, trucks with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 10,000 pounds must have speed limiters. These devices prevent trucks from exceeding the maximum speed limit—70 miles per hour—in the greater Terre Haute area, and following these regulations is crucial.
In addition to industry-specific regulations, truckers and trucking companies must comply with rules that apply to other drivers and employers, like liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance. Like other truck industry regulations in Terre Haute, these rules should keep everyone on the road—including truckers—safer.
If you have been injured in a truck accident, it may be due to a trucker ignoring these regulations. Schedule a consultation with a personal injury attorney from Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin to learn more about your potential rights and remedies.
Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin
The financial burden that often comes with a serious injury can be too much for many people to bear. Unexpected medical debt, damaged personal property, and the sudden loss of income can impact the budgets of most families. The good news is that a successful injury claim could help reduce that financial strain after a serious accident. Get in touch with a Terre Haute personal injury lawyer with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin to learn more.
Copyright ©2024 Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin,