Truck Accidents Set to Increase Under Ever-Loosening Rules?

There was a really interesting article in the New York Times in December which discusses changes which could have an effect on the numbers of truck accidents on the roads. You see, the current administration in Washington has rejected tighter regulation of the trucking industry. In fact, the Department of Transportation has boldly deregulated the trucking industry over the past six years. The trucking industry got what they wanted - again. For years, there have been calls for stricter regulations to restrict drivers' hours on the road. Instead, the Department of Transportation did just the opposite. They relaxed the rules, allowing truckers to drive even longer hours.

Safety groups and insurance interests had also tried to get new training requirements for truck drivers. The D.O.T.'s answer? Not on your life. (Actually, it is literally on all of our lives).

The article highlights the story of Dorris Edwards, a 62 year-old Missouri woman who was killed by the rookie driver of an 18-wheeler. The driver was on his first cross-country trip. His instructor (a 22 year old with one year of experience was in the truck with him - asleep for most of the ride. The new D.O.T. rules allowed the truck driver to drive for 12 hours the day of the wreck - 8 of them nonstop. The driver later said he was tired. I bet he was!

Of course, federal officials dismiss the idea that deregulation reduces safety. They say it helps.

The traveling public doesn't need that kind of "help."

If you or your loved one has been seriously hurt or killed in a South Carolina traffic accident involving a big truck, you can see if we can help by contacting me here, or by calling 1-800-827-7898. That way, you can decide if I am the right injury attorney for you. I would be happy to see if we can be of service to you in this difficult time.