Fatal Truck Accident Sparks Call for Stronger ELD Regulations

In a recent report, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has urged the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to implement stricter electronic logging device (ELD) requirements. The recommendation for stronger ELD regulations follows a tragic crash in December 2022 on I-64 in Virginia, where a truck driver's fatigue led to a collision with a medium-size bus. This catastrophic truck accident resulted in three roadway fatalities and garnered national media coverage.

Trucking company exposed for manipulating driver logs

According to the NTSB's crash report, Triton Logistics was the trucking company involved in the crash. The report revealed that the company manipulated driver hours-of-service (HOS) logs to avoid federal regulations. Triton Logistics falsified driver accounts and directed drivers to use these accounts to bypass legal driving limits. This manipulation allowed drivers to continue operating their trucks beyond the legal hours without detection. Additionally, a data center in Lithuania was allegedly used to manage and alter the drivers' electronic logs. This made it appear as though they had sufficient rest time.

Driver Daniel Cramer was behind the wheel during the fatal crash. He admitted that Triton used this data center to manage and adjust the logs to hide violations of ELD regulations. In the days before the fatal truck accident, Cramer had exceeded the FMCSA's 14-hour driving window multiple times and also violated the 70-hour rule. Following an on-site review, the FMCSA fined Triton $36,170 and assigned it a "conditional" safety rating, indicating insufficient safety management controls.

What are the recommendations regarding ELD regulations?

The NTSB has proposed several measures to address these issues. For example:

• They recommend that FMCSA require ELD providers to create detailed audit logs, including dates, driver login times, names of those who edited logs, and driver license numbers.
• The agency suggested that Virginia enhance its safety guidance for new intrastate motor carriers.
• They also urged the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance to educate its members on securing ELD systems against tampering.

Why is addressing truck driver fatigue so important?

Truck drivers often face financial pressure to exceed HOS limits to earn more money, which creates a dangerous environment. The dangers associated with truck driver fatigue include:

• Impaired reaction times: Fatigue slows a driver's reaction time, making it harder to respond quickly to sudden changes on the road.
• Reduced attention and focus: Fatigue diminishes a driver's ability to stay focused on the road. This can lead to missed signals, lane drifting, or failure to notice important road signs and hazards.
• Poor decision-making: A tired driver may struggle with decision-making, which can lead to poor judgment calls such as speeding, unsafe overtaking, or ignoring safety regulations.
• Increased risk of microsleeps: Fatigued drivers are more likely to experience microsleeps. Microsleeps are brief, involuntary periods of sleep that last just a few seconds. These lapses in consciousness can temporarily cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
• Higher probability of falling asleep at the wheel: Severe fatigue increases the risk of a truck driver falling asleep while driving. Asleep-at-the-wheel crashes are particularly dangerous, as the driver makes no attempt to slow down or stop.

We hold negligent truckers and trucking companies accountable

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, the attorneys at Pajcic & Pajcic in Jacksonville are here to help you secure the justice and financial compensation you deserve. With a track record of recovering hundreds of millions of dollars for clients, our legal team has the knowledge, experience, and resources to protect your rights and aggressively advocate for the maximum compensation you deserve.

Some of our notable case results include:

• A historic $1 billion verdict for the family of a college freshman who died in a crash with a distracted truck driver.
• A $26 million settlement for the family of a high school senior who was killed in a crash caused by an impaired truck driver.
• A $13 million verdict for a brain injury victim who was involved in a collision with a log truck attempting a U-turn.

Don't wait to seek justice—schedule your consultation today and let us help you find your way forward. Contact us online or call us today to learn more about how we can help with your potential legal case.