New Bill Aiming to Limit Weight and Size Regulations Seeks to Reduce Risks of Truck Accidents in Georgia and Elsewhere
Trucking accident survivors, families of these victims and Members of Congress are pleased to announce the new Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act (SHIPA).
The new poll put out by the Truck Safety Coalition (TSC), illustrates an overwhelming amount of support for these size and weight limitations and the revising of the federal rule to cap the number of hours a truck driver may work on the road to reduce risks of a trucking accident in Georgia and elsewhere. Another report, including the top 10 states for the most fatal trucking accident occurrences, will be released as well, according to The Auto Channel.
Our Georgia truck accident attorneys understand the dangers that these large trucks and fatigued drives place on other motorists on our roadways. We understand that a revision of current trucking regulations is necessary as these measures need to be reevaluated to ensure road safety. Oftentimes these trucks plow through smaller vehicles with deadly consequences.
The Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act, House Bill 1218, aims to regulate the minimize weight and length limitations for all vehicles on federal highways. This bill will mainly pertain to large, commercial big rigs.
As we previously discussed on our Georgia Truck Accident Lawyers Blog, the National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB) asked the American Trucking Association to equip their trucks and buses with automated and tamperproof on-board recording devices. These are meant to reduce the risks of fatigued driving accidents as drivers will be unable to falsify paper records. Falsified paper records currently allow drivers to work longer than the law allows.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, these large commercial trucks were involved in accidents that resulted in nearly 3,500 deaths in 2009. That same year, these accidents resulted in nearly 74,000 injuries. The United States witnessed nearly 300,000 crashes involving commercial trucks.
Motorists are urged to follow these safety tips when driving near big trucks to ensure their own safety:
-Be cautious of wind gusts from the large trucks.
-Keep both hands on the wheel as these wind gusts from a passing truck have the strength and ability to move your car.
-Do not speed up when a truck is passing you. Instead, you are urged to steer clear of the passing truck and slow down slightly. This will allow you to get out of their blind spots quicker once they've passed.
-If you see a truck driver signaling to change lanes, allow them to.
-Leave plenty of room between you and a truck.
-When passing a truck, do not proceed back into the original lane until you can see the entire truck in your rear view mirrors.
If you are involved in a Georgia trucking incident, contact the Atlanta trucking lawyers at Finch McCranie LLP for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call (800) 228-9159 or at (404) 658-9070 or contact us through this website.
