More commercial bus and truck drivers are beginning to wear seatbelts, a recent study conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shows. According to a news report, 74 percent of commercial truck and bus drivers buckled up in 2009. Compared to that, only 65 percent used seatbelts in the year 2007.
This is obviously good news. Whether it is truck drivers or drivers of passenger vehicles, seatbelts save lives. This is a fact that has been proven by several studies conducted in this country. It is encouraging to know that more and more drivers, including truck drivers, are recognizing the importance of wearing seatbelts while driving. In Missouri alone, 70 percent of all fatal crashes involve drivers not wearing seatbelts. Also, 97 percent of all crashes where seatbelts are used do not result in deaths.
It is not only important for truck drivers to worry about their own safety, but also the safety of others on the roadway. Truckers should follow safe driving practices as well. The traveling public may still be in danger of enduring injury due to truck driver fatigue in Missouri , truckers who drive drunk or distracted, and truck drivers who do not maintain their vehicles properly. The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks can make them a serious hazard to smaller vehicles.
If you are involved in a truck collision, you would be well-advised to contact a St. Louis truck accident injury lawyer immediately to ensure your rights are protected. Truck accidents can result in catastrophic injuries that could leave a person disabled for life. It is important to get prompt medical attention as well as legal representation to make sure that your rights and best interests are protected. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, please contact an experienced St. Louis truck accident attorney at Page Law by calling (314) 322-8515. We always offer a free consultation and comprehensive evaluation of your claim.
Source:http://www.thetrucker.com/News/Stories/2010/3/19/Morecommercialtruckandbusdriversusedsafetybeltsin2009.aspx
A driver, who caused a fatal Missouri truck accident that left three people dead and 15 injured, will face trial on manslaughter charges this summer. According to a news report in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the accident occurred June 21 when the truck driver plowed into several stopped vehicles on the highway while reaching for a cell phone. The driver told police that he reached across the dash to get his cell phone, flipped it open and looked back at traffic when the collision occurred. The truck driver is now facing three counts of second-degree involuntary manslaughter, which allege that the deaths resulted from criminal negligence. If convicted, the truck driver faces up to four years in prison.
All available research and statistics about cell phones, texting and driving show that it can be extremely dangerous to text or use a hand-held cell phone while driving. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute recently reported that large truck drivers increase their crash risk by 23 times when they text and drive. Merely reaching for a communication device or dialing a cell phone increased the chance of a car accident or a large truck accident by six times. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety says that more than 1 million auto accidents each year are caused in North America as a result of distracted driving or driver inattention.
Truck drivers not only face criminal charges, but also civil liability in cases where their negligence causes serious personal injuries and fatalities. In such cases, the trucking firm can also be held responsible for the injuries, damages and losses caused. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Missouri truck accident, please contact an experienced St. Louis tractor trailer crash lawyer at Page Law to schedule your free consultation today. We will fight hard to protect your legal rights and make sure you receive the justice and compensation you rightfully deserve.
Source:http://interact.stltoday.com/blogzone/st-louis-crime-beat/st-louis-county/2010/01/trucker-faces-summer-trial-in-fatal-crash/
