Trailer Carnage * Japan - Spurs calls for tougher laws

A recent succession of sometimes fatal crashes by trailers carrying freight containers has prompted calls for a lower speed limit and strict loading regulations for the hazardous vehicles

Tokyo,Japan -The Asahi Shimbun -10 June 2009: -- Experts and transport industry groups say that until laws are amended, similar tragedies will continue to unfold on the roads irrespective of any fault on the part of drivers... The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism said there were at least 222 accidents involving trailers between 2001 and May 22 this year... In 85 cases--or 38.3 percent--the accidents were caused when the trailers rolled onto their side or their cargo containers fell off... The president of an Osaka freight shipper who has previously driven trailers said tough work conditions encouraged drivers to be reckless... "You can't lock some (containers) because they're disfigured or corroded," he said. "And when drivers can't lock them, they feel they have to take off anyway because cargo owners are so strict about time."... The system of pay used at many freight companies is also a contributing factor, industry analysts say... "Some companies adopt a pay system in which 80 percent of a driver's paycheck is based on the piece rate," said a driver who has nearly a decade of experience with trailers... "If your pay is low, you tend to go at a higher speed."... (Photo from yamabushi: Container glut)