The number of trucking-related accidents is steadily rising.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, nearly 4,000 people die in trucking accidents every year. However, as trucking accidents increase, the trucking lobby is working behind the scenes to relax or eliminate crucial safety rules contained in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations that are designed to protect travelers and reduce the number of 18 wheeler accidents.
Since 2009 alone, for example, the trucking industry has spent over $181 million on lobbying and provided over $19 million in campaign contributions to various members of the U.S. Congress.
Their goal is to convince lawmakers to pass or repeal laws that will create higher profits for trucking companies and more safety hazards for drivers.
These proposed changes to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations include:
- Allowing trucking companies to increase their drivers’ work hours from 70 to 82 hours a week;
- Lowering the minimum driving age for interstate truck drivers from 21 to 18 years old;
- Removing trucking companies’ safety ratings from the Internet;
- Preventing regulators from raising trucking companies’ minimum insurance requirements;
- Raising trucks’ maximum haul load from 80,000 to 91,000 pounds;
- Allowing trucking companies to use longer trailers.
18 Wheeler Accidents Expected to Increase with Proposed Changes to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations
The proposed changes to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations will increase the already rising number of trucking accidents.
Bigger trucks, driven by younger drivers, working 82 hours a week is a recipe for disaster. Increasing driver work weeks to 82 hours is especially concerning because fatigue is one of the leading causes of the 4,000 trucking-related deaths that occur each year.
For example, research indicates that 1 in 5 crashes involving large trucks or buses are caused by fatigue. This is likely because commercial drivers are generally required to drive long distances for extended periods of time, often at night, which makes them more susceptible to falling asleep behind the wheel than non-commercial drivers.
Contact our Undefeated Truck Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation at 1-888-603-3636 or by Clicking Here
If you or a loved one were involved in a truck, bus, or 18-wheeler accident, contact our Undefeated Houston Truck Accident Lawyers near you at 1-888-603-3636 or by Clicking Here.
In just the past 5 years alone, our Truck Accident Lawyers have
- Won over $1 Billion in Verdicts and Settlements
- Recovered the #1 Largest Accident Verdict, #6 Largest Accident Verdict, and the #3 and #5 Largest Settlements in Texas
- Recovered the #1 Largest Verdicts and Settlements against the biggest Bus and Trucking Companies in the United States, including Greyhound, R&L Carriers, and Oakley Trucking.
Our success has not only provided our lawyers with the knowledge, experience and resources to take on the largest trucking companies in the country, but has also enabled our clients to receive some of the largest verdicts and settlements in history.