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* USA - Drowsy Drivers & Dangerous Highways
* New York - The trucking industry wants to weaken safety rules
NY,USA -The New York Times -June 13, 2014: -- Days before an accident in which an allegedly drowsy truck driver crashed into a van carrying the actor Tracy Morgan, critically injuring him and killing another passenger, a Senate committee voted to roll back regulations meant to keep fatigued truckers off the nation’s highways... The trucking industry makes the disingenuous claim that the rule, which has been in effect since July 2013, “exacerbates congestion” and could make highways less safe by forcing more truck drivers onto the roads during morning rush hours. The rule requires that the break include two consecutive nights, but it says nothing about what time drivers must go back to work... If anything, the rule is too weak. For instance, it allows drivers to spend up to 11 consecutive hours behind the wheel with just one 30-minute rest break. A 2011 study that Penn State University conducted for the government shows that the risk of accidents is greatest during the 11th hour of driving. And the 34-hour break that truck drivers are entitled to after an arduous 60-hour or 70-hour workweek is far too short. Most Americans get two full days off after working an average of 34.5 hours... The government estimates that about 13 percent of commercial drivers involved in a crash were fatigued. Crashes involving large trucks, or vehicles that weigh more than 10,000 pounds, have gone up steadily in the last five years, and fatalities are up 18 percent since 2009. More than 3,900 people died and 104,000 people were injured in accidents involving large trucks in 2012, the latest year for which the government has compiled data. Occupants of vehicles involved in crashes with large trucks make up the vast majority — more than 70 percent — of those killed and injured in such accidents... Because this is an election year, lawmakers may be tempted to do the bidding of the trucking industry, a generous contributor to political campaigns. But in doing so, they will put more American lives at risk...
Labels: dangerous drivers, dangerous roads
posted by Unknown @ 10:28 AM
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