According to the trucker website Overdrive, approximately 1/4 of its readers have had an hours of service violation in the last two years. The online poll they conducted found that the majority of the violations were in 10 states: 

• Arkansas
• Wyoming
• North Dakota
• Oregon
• Colorado
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Iowa
• South Dakota
• Nevada

The online poll indicates that the above states have truck safety enforcement departments who are most focused on hours.

In 2013, Oregon was the leader for hours of service violations, and as of 2015, it still was in the top five.

Current hours of service rules state that truckers may driver a maximum of 11 hours after 10 hours off duty. They also may not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, after 10 consecutive hours off duty. Off duty time does not extend this 14 hour period. Further, drivers may not driver after 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days. The driver can restart a 7 or 8 day period after taking 34 hours off consecutively.

Our View

We approve of states being tough on truckers by ensuring that they do not drive more than they are legally allowed. We have represented truck accident victims in large lawsuits whose families have been shattered by truck drivers who either fell asleep while driving or were otherwise distracted.