Violations of Trucking Laws and Regulations in Ohio

Ohio Trucking Regulations

Ohio limits the height, weight, and length of large commercial vehicles. According to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the max weight for a single-axle truck is 29,000 pounds, and 80,000 pounds for a long quad axle.

Truck weight limits are based on the Federal Bridge Formula, designed to protect our U.S. bridges and roadways from increasingly heavy vehicles. The State Highway Patrol enforces these limits for trucks traveling through Ohio, testing their weights at weigh stations.

Ohio also regulates the length, width, and height of large trucks. For instance, the height of a commercial tractor-trailer is limited to 13 feet, six inches. The max width of a commercial truck is 102 inches, and the typical length limit is 50 feet. But some semis with trailers can be up to 53 feet long. When trucks exceed state guidelines, the vehicle may be restricted to roadways that can handle its size.

Ohio Truck Driver & CDL Regulations

The Ohio BMV regulates truck drivers and issues commercial driving licenses. (CDL). To acquire and remain compliant with CDL guidelines, drivers must:

• Take Mandatory Skills Tests
• Undergo Medical Testing
• Meet Vision Standards

Other Ohio Trucking Laws

• Ohio’s “Move Over” Law
• Speed Limits & Air Brake Restrictions
• Truck Registration & CDL Class Distinctions
• Double &Triple Trailer Regulations
• Hazardous Cargo Guidelines
• Bridge & Tunnel Clearance Standards

Federal Trucking Regulations

In addition to Ohio trucking laws, the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) oversees the commercial trucking industry at the federal level. This agency ensures drivers and motor carriers remain safe on our nation’s roads by regulating driver behavior and trucking company practices.

Some well-known federal safety regulations for truck drivers include:

• Hours of Service Regulations – This refers to the maximum time drivers can be on duty, including driving time, and specifies rest periods to help ensure drivers stay awake and alert.
• Drugs & Alcohol– A lot of emphasis is put on safe driving behaviors. As a result, the allowable blood alcohol content (BAC)l for truck drivers is .04%. There are also strict drug and alcohol testing regulations performed randomly and after accidents to see if truckers are under the influence.
• Electronic Logging Devices – Most motor carriers and truck drivers are now required to install ELDs to monitor and document critical information about a truck’s operation and maintenance.
• Truck Cargo Regulations – Overloaded and unsecured cargo is a severe issue in the trucking industry. As a result, the FMCSA requires that cargo be capable of withstanding the forces that trucks routinely encounter and mandate proper securement tiedown measures.

Common Truck Safety Violations

Tragically, many FMCSA violations and unsafe trucking practices are only discovered after a devastating crash.

When truck regulations are disregarded, very large and extremely heavy vehicles fall into disrepair. Likewise, unsafe driver behaviors put other motorists at tremendous risk.

Some typical violations that result in truck accidents are:

Hours of Service Violations

Truck drivers frequently violate the rules around how much time they can drive because they are compelled to go further and for longer to make deadlines. This puts a lot of overtired drivers on the road and increases the odds of a collision.

The FMCSA can issue penalties on a driver or carrier who violates hours of service rules. Fines range between $1,000 and $16,000 per violation, with even larger fines reserved for hazardous cargo violations.

Driving Under the Influence

Truck drivers are held to a high standard and should never operate their vehicles while impaired by any drug, legal or illegal. Such violations can jeopardize the driver’s career, CDL, criminal record, and the public.

Overloading Cargo

Balance, capacity, and cargo security are essential for a truck’s safe operation, but they are too often overlooked in a rush to make deliveries and meet shipping quotas. A serious accident can happen when overloaded cargo shifts, falls, or puts too much strain on a truck.

Negligent Truck Maintenance

Specific systems on a truck need to be inspected regularly and kept in good working order. A truck’s braking system or engine is not correctly checked constitutes a violation and could result in a crash if these systems fail.

Inadequate Record Keeping

Motor carriers are required by law to maintain various records, including proof of insurance, confirmation of the carrier’s DOT number and MC identification, permits regarding their cargo, driver information, and licensing vehicle registration and maintenance records, and cargo details.

Deficient Training/Safety Measures

Trucking companies and drivers regularly cut corners regarding training and safety compliance. This usually happens when companies are understaffed and overworked, but forgoing safety checks to meet deadlines and hiring unqualified drivers should not be tolerated.

Speeding & Reckless Driving

A lot of trust and responsibility is placed on truck drivers. We rely on them to transport the things we need and expect them to do it as safely as possible. Truck drivers should always drive at reasonable speeds for road conditions and follow all traffic laws. When they don’t, it’s a violation.

Compensation for Crashes Caused By Violations

When negligence or failure to comply with trucking regulations leads to a truck accident and your injuries, you should not be held responsible for the cost.

Ohio law allows you to pursue compensation for all your assorted losses. And while every accident is different, an experienced lawyer can help calculate your damages and what compensation you can recover. If a violation of trucking regulations or law resulted in a crash, you might be entitled to your:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost income, time away from work, and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Disfigurement
• Loss of consortium

Don’t Let the Truck Company Blame You

When trucking companies, drivers, or other parties negligently violate regulations and laws, they will quickly deny responsibility and may even blame the victim. These tactics are designed to pressure you into accepting less than what your claim is worth and resolve accidents quietly without shining, bringing attention to their often-dangerous practices.

This makes it crucial to work with a legal team who can properly investigate, find evidence of state and federal violations, and determine how best to secure max compensation.

At Ohio Truck Accident Help, we focus on helping Ohio truck accident victims with every aspect of their claim and know how to present the clearest possible case for everything you deserve. Our goal is to stop lowball offers, prevent negligence in the trucking industry, and give injury victims the best chance at a maximum settlement or best courtroom verdict possible.