In 2017, 4,102 people died in crashes involving large trucks on roads in Kentucky and throughout America, and this was a 29% increase since 2009. According to government data, 68% of those who died were occupants of passenger vehicles while another 14% were either pedestrians or people on motorcycles. The number of fatal accidents involving large trucks is three times the rate of fatal accidents overall.
Some believe that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is at least partially to blame for the problem. An investigation revealed that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has long recommended that the NHTSA adopt rules to make commercial trucks safer. These rules would include the use of forward collision avoidance systems. While this wouldn’t eliminate all heavy truck accidents, those who have studied the issue believe it would be the most effective at making roads safer.
A memo from the NHTSA says that it is still doing research into this technology. By 2022, all new passenger vehicles will be equipped with automatic braking systems and other safety tools. Therefore, it isn’t unreasonable to consider that commercial vehicles could be equipped with them as well. Senator Cory Booker believes that he and his colleagues should take a look at what they can do to motivate truck owners to use advanced safety features.
A motor vehicle accident may result in an individual sustaining a permanent disability. This may make it difficult or impossible to go to work or maintain his or her quality of life. Those who are hurt by a negligent driver may receive financial compensation for lost wages or future earnings. Drivers may be negligent if they are not paying attention to road conditions when an accident occurs. Drunk, tired or distracted driving might also be considered negligent.
