As part of their ongoing safety mission for motor carriers who use our highways everyday, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates much of the equipment and parts of large trucks. Specifically, the FMCA has issued regulations that govern the truck parts and accessories listed below with their corresponding section number in parenthesis:
- Tires (393.75)
- Sleeper berths (393.76)
- Heaters (393.77)
- Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems (393.78)
- Windshield defrosting and defogging equipment (393.79)
- Rear-vision mirrors (393.80)
- Horn (393.81)
- Speedometer (393.82)
- Exhaust Systems (393.83)
- Floors
- Rear impact guards and rear impact protection (393.86)
- Warning flags on projecting loads (393.87)
- Television receivers (393.88)
- Seats and seat belt assembly (393.93)
- Interior noise levels (393.94)
The above subjects are covered in great detail within the regulations. As one can see from this exhaustive list, the FMCA leaves nothing to chance or to the discretion of employers on how their trucks are equipped and maintained. For instance, the rear impact guard regulation was implemented to address the problem of passenger cars sliding under the back of large trucks in accidents which can cause life-threatening injuries.