Trucking Regulations in Florida

Florida Truck Accident Attorney

There are numerous restrictions placed on trucking companies throughout the U.S. These may vary from state to state and may be altered as time goes on. Trucking regulations are in place in an effort to keep our roadways as safe as possible. Sharing the road with commercial trucks can be dangerous if these are overloaded or oversized and can therefore not maneuver properly or essentially cause hazardous situations by being on the road at all.

The primary issue to consider for a large truck is its size and weight. Following are the Florida trucking regulations concerning the size and weight of a truck:

Length - 75 feet overall
Overhang - 3 feet in the front and 4 feet in the rear
Width - 8 feet, 6 inches
Height - 13 feet, 6 inches
Weight - 80,000 pounds

If a truck exceeds these limits in any way, it must have a special permit from the chief engineer of the Florida Department of Transportation to travel on public roadways. Oversized trucks may also be required to have escort vehicles while travelling.

Following are additional Florida trucking regulations:

Travel is permitted from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes before sunset.
Travel is permitted on Saturday and Sunday only if the trailer does not exceed 10 feet in width, 55 feet in length and 13 feet, 6 inches in height.
Driving in convoys is not permitted.
Trucks are prohibited from following within 300 feet of another vehicle, unless when passing.

There are also additional regulations that trucking companies must adhere to in regard to driver's license requirements, noise emission, registration, safety equipment, alcohol or drug use, and inspection, repair and maintenance.

Help for Trucking Accident Victims in Florida

Have you been injured in a trucking accident in an area of Florida? If the trucking company or driver violated state trucking regulations in some manner, you may have a clear cut case to recover financial compensation for your injuries.

Contact an Florida truck accident lawyer at the Distasio Law Firm today to learn more about filing a claim or lawsuit.