Truck Crash – Blog Archive

Do Speed Limiters Reduce Truck Crashes?

roberts on October 12, 2017

Category: Safety, Trucking Accidents
Tag: tractor trailer accident, Truck Crash, truck speed limiters

A recent study conducted by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) found that speed-related, at-fault truck crashes dropped by 73 percent after mandatory speed limiter technology legislation took effect in Ontario, Canada.

Other findings of the study include:

Post 2009, large truck drivers produced fewer at-fault speed collisions relative to all at-fault driver actions
There is no evidence to suggest worse collision outcomes for large truck drivers post 2009
The percentage of truck drivers that were struck from the rear stayed more-or-less the same from pre- to post-legislation (10.03 percent of total collisions 2006-2008 and 10.47 percent 2010-2012), whereas for other drivers the rate increased (18.6 percent 2006-2008 and 21.3 percent 2010-2012)

The year-long study dispelled opponents’ position that requiring large trucks to slow down would lead to rear-end crashes. The study further discounted the contention that speed limiters would cause truck drivers to adjust their driving habits to compensate for lost time resulting from slower driving.

The study found no evidence that speed limiters contributed to an increase in collisions involving truck drivers, including rear-end crashes.

Several Factors Found to Increase Risk of Truck Crashes

roberts on March 17, 2017

Category: Regulations & Laws, Trucking Accidents
Tag: Truck Crash

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that in 2015, 3,852 people died in crashes involving large trucks. Sixteen percent of these deaths were truck occupants; 69 percent were passenger vehicle occupants; and 15 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists.

Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) Introduces Legislation to Make our Roads Less Safe

roberts on December 29, 2014

Category: Legal Developments, Regulations & Laws, Safety, Trucking Accidents
Tag: Collins Amendment, FMCSA, New Jersey Personal Injury Attorney, Princeton Attorney, Susan Collins, Truck Accident, Truck Accident Attorney, Truck Crash

Despite the American public’s overwhelming opposition to increasing the number of hours that a truck driver can work each week, Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) has introduced legislation that would increase truckers’ weekly hours from 70 to 82. The “Collins Amendment” is currently before the Appropriations Committee.

In a recent poll conducted by Lake Research Partners, 80% of those surveyed oppose longer work weeks for truck drivers and would feel less safe if truck drivers are allowed to drive 82 hours, as opposed to 70. The American public has good reason for concern as fatigued driving is one of the leading causes of fatal and catastrophic truck crashes.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”) studies have revealed that 65% of truck drivers often or sometimes feel drowsy while driving and nearly 50% of truckers admit that they have actually fallen asleep while driving within the last year. It is estimated that the current hours-of-service rules will prevent approximately 1,400 truck crashes each year, which will save 19 lives, avoid 560 injuries and save hundreds of millions of dollars from fewer crashes and improved driver health.

As a Personal Injury attorney in New Jersey, I have seen many people suffer from injuries due to a truck accident. We need to make the roads a safer place. The proposed legislation ignores the voice of her constituents and the American public and makes the roadways significantly less safe for all of us. If you have been injured by a trucking accident in New Jersey, contact Stark & Stark for a free consultation.

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