North Dakota Agricultural Driver Regulations

North Dakota Agricultural Driver Regulations Called Into Question as Injuries Caused by Drivers Trying to ‘Beet’ the Harvest

Every year farmers race to get their beet harvests processed and shipped while they are as fresh as possible. People drive trucks around the clock and many accidents with serious injuries happen every year. The controversy comes from the regulations that do not require these drivers to carry a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in order to operate these large, dangerous trucks.

Farmers are fighting the potential changes to regulations. They argue that there will be increased costs from requiring drivers to have a CDL in order to transport harvested food. Proponents of the changed regulations contend that the changes are worth the costs if regulating agricultural drivers saves more lives. North Dakota personal injury attorneys file more cases every year from accidents caused by these untrained drivers. This issue has come down to how much saving even just one life is worth to state officials.

People with a CDL go through extensive safety training before they are ever allowed on the road. This training and testing prepares drivers for the proper ways to keep their vehicles from harming and killing other drivers on the road. Experienced North Dakota tractor trailer accident attorneys use this lack of training and licensing against them as evidence of them causing the collision. It is likely that requiring a CDL would offset much of the additional cost in the long run by dramatically decreasing their insurance costs.

The North Dakota Legislature is going to have some decisions to make in the near future about what to do about changing regulations for agricultural drivers. There is little doubt that the additional regulations would do a great deal of good for public safety. This decision is ultimately going to come down to how much additional expense is worth saving the lives of innocent victims.

The Larson Law is here for you and your family after an accident changes your life. Our Minot, North Dakota truck accident attorneys provide free initial consultations to inform you of your legal options as you recover from your injuries. Call us at 701-484-4878 or contact us online to make an appointment.