Truck Driver Fatigue Is Still A Major Problem
A little over a month ago, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sent their inspectors across the US to do spot checks on 18 wheelers and other trucks for Roadcheck 2011. Officials in the US, Canada and Mexico inspected a total of 70,712 vehicles at 2,550 locations over the 72 hour weekend which ran June 7-9, 2011.
Here in Texas, semi safety is extremely important, particularly as the I-35 corridor runs straight through Dallas-Fort Worth on the way to Oklahoma. We have thousands of truckers traveling through North Texas every day, which is why there are so many commercial truck wrecks all the time. Safety is vital.
Predictably, the most concerning result from Roadcheck 2011 was that over half the drivers inspected had violated the hour-of-service rule intended to keep tired drivers off the road. Trucker fatigue is one of the leading causes of big rig accidents, and yet 52.5 percent of the drivers stopped could prove they were abiding by the rule. For a personal injury attorney such as myself, this is troubling. Furthermore, only 14 percent of the commercial trucks had electronic on-board readers (EOBRs) which were recently mandated by the FMCSA in order to ensure accurate recording of the time individual drivers spent behind the wheel.
On a more positive note, however, 98.5 percent of the trucks stopped passed the inspection of their license, medical certificates and record-of-duty status. Of all the trucks, buses and tractor trailers inspected, 80.7 percent passed the safety inspection of their brakes, tires, lights, load security and other essential safety components. Obviously this could still be much better.
Whenever a large commercial truck in involved in a traffic crash, it invariably causes massive property damage and severe personal injuries. If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident involving an 18-wheeler or other large truck, it is important that you consult with an experienced injury lawyer who will be able to explain your legal rights and help you make sure you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve. For a free no obligation consultation on your personal case, call toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally at 817-294-1900.
