A roadway safety coalition is concerned about the dangers of trucking accidents in Pennsylvania and across the country, urging changes in legislation that could impose greater regulations on large semi-trucks. Road Safe America, the Truck Safety Coalition and others are calling on Congress to require all heavy trucks to make use of speed limiting devices and automatic emergency braking technology. These advocates say that statistics about crashes back up their call for more rules on truck safety.
When occupants of smaller vehicles are involved in truck accidents with 18-wheelers, they are far more likely to be seriously injured or even killed due to the size, weight and mass of large trucks. Therefore, the advocates say that greater regulation is important if it can reduce the likelihood of and the risk posed by trucking crashes. According to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, crashes at highway speeds were twice as common for trucks that did not turn on their speed limiters than for the trucks that activated the devices. In addition, the advocates said that requiring automatic emergency braking technology could prevent more than 2,500 accidents annually.
Trucking industry representatives have pushed back against calls for greater regulation. According to advocates, there has been no movement on the issue for over 12 years despite repeated requests for new regulations. Some industry organizations say that they could support speed limiter requirements but only if they are also imposed on passenger cars, despite the far more serious threat posed by large truck crashes.
Trucking accidents can be devastating, causing catastrophic injuries and permanent disabilities. In many cases, these crashes are caused by inattentive or negligent truck drivers. A personal injury lawyer may be able to help accident victims pursue compensation for their damages, including medical bills and lost wages.
