Houston has been given the unfortunate reputation of being home to the nation’s deadliest roads. With fatal accidents at a 12% increase in 2017, officials are considering changing the speed limits both on common roads and highways. According to the Texas Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, in 2017 there was:
- 1 person was killed every 2 hours 21 minutes
- 1 person was injured every 2 minutes 4 seconds
- 1 reportable crash occurred every 59 seconds
That comes out to a lot of deaths and injuries over the course of a year. A big issue, Texas officials claim, is that many drivers and passengers are not wearing their seat belts. With seat belts saving an estimate of 15,000 lives each year, it should be a no-brainer to make the simple effort of putting on the seatbelt before driving. It’s also estimated that about 39% of large, big-rig truck related collisions with death as the outcome, the driver was not wearing their seat belts.
While it is of course against the law to not wear a seatbelt, there are other state and federal trucking regulations set forth for commercial truck drivers to encourage safe driving. Some of the various issues these regulations cover include (and are by no means limited to):
- Licensing and training for truck drivers
- Alcohol and drug testing for truckers
- Medical requirements and exams for truckers
- Driving shift limits (to prevent driver fatigue)
- Carrier safety issues, such as those pertaining to the transport of hazardous materials, record keeping verifying compliance with safety regulations, etc.
- Vehicle safety issues, including the required inspections and maintenance for commercial trucks, truck weight limits, cargo securement requirements, etc.
Failures to comply with the required safety regulations can result in:
- Drivers and/or trucking companies being fined by federal authorities or being placed “out of service”
- Catastrophic, if not deadly, truck accidents
Trucking companies and state and federal laws can only do so much. It is ultimately up to the drivers to put forth their best effort to maintain safety for themselves as well as fellow drivers. If you ever notice suspicious activity or unsafe driving by a truck driver, do your part by calling local police or notifying the truck company if listed.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck crash, it is time to contact a truck accident attorney at Buckingham & Vega Law Firm. For well over 25 years, our trusted lawyers have been dedicated to providing truck accident victims with effective, vigorous advocacy as we help them pursue all available legal remedies. When you meet with us, you can get clear, honest answers about your rights and recovery options so that you have the information you need to make the right decisions for you and your family as you move forward.