Final answer:
The Hours of Service regulations limit a driver on a 7-day cycle to 70 on-duty hours, after which they must rest before driving again, to ensure safety on the roads and prevent fatigue-related accidents.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, a commercial motor vehicle driver operating on a 7-day cycle is limited to 70 on-duty hours. After a driver accumulates these on-duty hours, they are required to take a rest period before they are permitted to drive again. For the purposes of HOS, "on-duty" time encompasses all the time the driver is responsible for the vehicle, including driving time, inspection time, and paperwork time, among other duties associated with operating the vehicle.
The purpose of these regulations is to prevent fatigue-related accidents, which can be very dangerous both for the driver and for the general public on the roadways. These rules are crucial for maintaining road safety and ensuring that commercial drivers have adequate rest between shifts. Compliance with these regulations is not only a legal requirement but also a fundamental aspect of transportation safety management.