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Spike in Truck Accident Fatalities May Warrant Action by Lawmakers
Commercial truck accidents are a serious problem on our nation's roadways, and lawmakers are considering taking action.
February 01, 2012 /Government PR News/ -- There has recently been a sharp increase in the number of Americans killed in motor vehicle accidents involving commercial trucks. This spike is particularly concerning considering that motor vehicle accidents in general have declined. This new data has brought attention to the issue of truck accidents on our nation's roadways, and sparked debate about potential preventative measures.
Troubling Truck Accident Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), fatalities from collisions involving large trucks increased 8.7 percent in 2010 compared to 2009. In 2010, 3,675 motorists lost their lives in truck accidents, up from 3,380 in 2009.
Motor vehicle accident fatalities in the U.S. as a whole decreased during that same period. In 2010, there were 32,885 deaths from auto accidents. This is a 2.9 percent decrease from the 33,803 fatalities in 2009, according to NHTSA data. In 2010, the number of motor vehicle deaths actually dropped to its lowest point since 1949.
Looking past the statistics, there are real people who lost their lives on America's roadways. Safety groups and those in the trucking industry are largely at odds with one another in the debate over what should be done to prevent future accidents involving big rigs.
Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Enhancement Act of 2011
Safety advocates are using the new data on truck accident fatalities to further make their case for tighter restrictions on commercial vehicle operators and drivers. Jacqueline Gillian, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, explained, "The distressing news that there are more truck crash fatalities in 2010 is a clear and compelling call for stronger regulations, tougher oversight and sustained enforcement of motor carriers across the country."
In particular, Gillian and other road safety advocates are pushing for the Senate to pass the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Enhancement Act of 2011 (S.190). The legislation, also known as the "CMV bill," is sponsored by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) who chairs the Senate's Surface Transportation Subcommittee.
The CMV Bill would mandate several new safety regulations for truck and bus operators. Among other things, the bill would:
- Require commercial drivers to use electronic onboard recorders (EOBRs) with the aim of improving compliance with hours of service (HOS) rules and reducing truck driver fatigue
- Increase the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) power to crack down on so-called "reincarnated carriers," those operators that reopen illegally after being closed down due to safety issues
- Require the establishment of a clearinghouse of alcohol and controlled substance testing records of commercial operators
- Fund research on the safety and impact of larger and heavier trucks on the infrastructure
Proponents of the bill say these measures are important to improve the safety of the truck and bus industry as a whole, and that they would make the roadways safer for all motorists.
Industry Response
Most operators and industry representatives are leery of more regulations, and feel such measures could be an overreaction to the NHTSA data. "We would hope that policymakers will avoid the 'error of recency,' by overemphasizing the newest data at the expense of the overall, long-term trend, which has been overwhelmingly positive," explained Bill Graves, the CEO and President of the American Trucking Associations (ATA).
The CMV bill also comes on the heels of the recently enacted cell phone ban for commercial vehicle drivers. Beginning January 1, 2012, truck and bus drivers were prohibited from using hand-held cell phones while driving, whether it is for texting or talking. Violators face stiff financial penalties, and repeat offenders face license suspension.
Some in the truck industry argue that such regulations neglect to consider how the actions of motorists in passenger vehicles cause collisions. The ATA Vice President of Safety Policy highlighted data that showed almost 80 percent of crashes and near crashes between passenger vehicles and large trucks were initiated by the drivers of passenger vehicles.
Next Steps
The CMV bill has been considered in committee and recommended to the Senate for consideration. Regardless of whether it passes, hopefully the debate surrounding the causes of truck accidents will bring further awareness to the issue, and lead to safer roads for both truckers and other motorists.
What If You Have Been Injured in a Truck Accident?
If you or a loved one has been one of the many killed or injured in a truck accident, contact an experienced truck accident attorney. A knowledgeable lawyer can advise you of your options and help you obtain compensation for your injuries and other losses.
Article provided by Doehrman Chamberlain
Visit us at www.tortslaw.com
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