Recent Fatal Trucking Accidents Stir Action from NTSB

A tractor-trailer trailer pulling up to a pileup of more than a dozen cars and trucks failed to slow and sent the truck barreling into the stopped cars at roughly 70 mph, according to the Associated Press.  The tractor-trailer plowed over three cars, dragging them under its wheels, and smashed a few others before finally coming to a stop.  Ten people were killed by the tractor-trailer in the deadly trucking accident.  Investigators determined that the driver was operating on only five hours of sleep from the previous night.  He had been on the road for roughly 10 hours.

Our Houston trucking accident lawyers recognize the unfortunate fact that drivers are working long, hard hours on very little sleep.  We also understand that fatigued driving greatly increases the risks for a serious trucking accident that can take the lives of innocent motorists.  It is common for these truck drivers to be found guilty of negligent driving and causing these serious accidents.

After this, and many other serious trucking accidents, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) held a two-day forum to allow federal regulators, safety experts and the truck and bus industries to chime in about what is, or can be, done to help prevent fatal accidents.  Many attending the forum questioned why past safety recommendations have yet to be enacted as these accidents continue.

"There has been a lot of progress, truck fatalities have come down, but there is still much work that needs to be done," says NTSB member Robert Sumwalt.

 Accident fatalities involving these big trucks has decreased significantly from 5,200 fatalities in 2005 to roughly 3,200 deaths in 2009, reported the Transportation Department.  Other fatal accident numbers have decreased too, as many credit the downturn in the economy for the downturn in fatality statistics, according to the Newser.  Safety advocates worry these rates will begin to climb as the economy improves.

And, regardless, thousands are killed and tens of thousands are injured each year in trucking accidents in Houston County and elsewhere.

"We must remind ourselves that each data point in these statistics represents a family member that will never come home to loved ones," says Sumwalt.

Many thing current standards for driving hours permit too much time on the road.  New rules aim to cut driving hours down to 10 a day.  Some believe that this cut could lead to problems like speeding and other unsafe driving habits to make up for lost time and money, according to CBS 47.

The NTSB has also been pushing for more advanced technologies in these trucks.  They want electronic stability control to prevent rollover incidents, adaptive cruise control to automatically adjust to traffic speed, warning systems that would alert drivers if their truck is drifting out of their lane and warning systems alerting drivers to an impeding collision.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with a tractor trailer in the Houston area, contact the Houston Truck Accident Lawyers at The Stephens Law Firm at (713) 224-0055 to discuss your rights.