Hours of service refers to regulations implemented by governing traffic bodies. Read more about the regulations, importance and how to comply on our website.
What are HOS (Hours of Service)?
HOS (hours of service) refers to regulations implemented by governing traffic bodies. The rules pertain to truck drivers, as well as mail carriers and city and school bus drivers. Various local laws may also apply to HOS regulations depending on where the vehicle is traveling.
Hours may be logged manually or through an electronic monitoring system that automates the documentation process. Regulations guarantee schedules that sync up with recommended sleep cycles, as well as guaranteeing a set number of days off throughout a working week. HOS guidelines pertain to any vehicle that weighs more than 10,000 pounds.
Why are HOS Important?
Hours of service are primarily a matter of safety. The idea is to reduce driver fatigue and limit the possibility of vehicular accidents. Statistically speaking, long hours behind the wheel correlate with a higher probability of accidents occurring.
HOS guidelines are also calibrated to correlate with the circadian rhythm. This pattern indicates that people experience sleepiness or inhibited levels of perception for a set amount of time throughout the day. HOS guidelines are, in part, installed to ensure that drivers are at their freshest when they are behind the wheel.
What Happens if You Violate HOS Guidelines?
Hours of service guidelines are enforced in a number of different ways. Throughout the course of their routes, drivers are legally required to check in at weigh stations, at which point their logbooks may be studied. Additionally, highway patrol reserves the right to pull drivers over for random checks of their logbooks. When hours are not in compliance, the driver will be forced to wait the required rest time.
When drivers are found to have violated HOS guidelines repeatedly, they may be fined. Fines may vary depending on the location, as well as on the nature of the offense. In certain cases, these can be very steep, and persistent non-compliance may even result in a suspension.
Webfleet and HOS
Webfleet has products that are designed to make it easier to comply with HOS guidelines. Through digitized logbooks, information can be documented and stored via mobile applications. It can also be viewed remotely, helping to make your fleet management more intuitive and straightforward.
With the right equipment, you never have to leave hours of service compliance to chance.
Exclusive insights on commercial fleet safety
The European Road Safety Report brings together exclusive data from Webfleet' international survey of fleet decision makers with official EU and government statistics.
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