It is my suggestion that one way to decrease the number of semi truck accidents is to increase federal regulations that require unfit and unhealthy truck drivers to give up the profession.
In this tough economy there can be no question that greater numbers of semi truck drivers have a variety of medical conditions that should - and would, with greater oversight - preclude them from climbing behind the wheel of an eighteen wheeler.
Certainly not all semi truck drivers demonstrate a careless disregard for the law but, instead, are not aware of the seriousness of a medical condition they may be exhibiting. Currently, commercial truck drivers are only required to obtain a physical every two years!
However, even as the federal government has been lumbering in their oversight of the commercial truck driving industry recent developments give heart that slowly but surely long-term improvements in the safety record of semi truck drivers will occur.
Let me refer the reader to the FMCSA website. The FMCSA or Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration was established as a separate administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation. It is charged with developing Federal regulations that establish safe operation requirements for commercial vehicle drivers, carriers, vehicles, and vehicle equipment.
On January 1, 2009 the FMCSR issued a ruling that now requires states to merge as a single electronic record their commercial driver's license information with the driver's medical examination certificate. The goal is to streamline information and allow for instant access by state and federal officials. Not a bad idea in my opinion!
The Baumgartner law firms Houston truck accident attorneys have been prosecuting semi truck wrecks for over 20 years. If you or a loved one is seeking a Houston auto accident attorney, or a Houston tractor trailer accident attorney, call the Baumgartner law firm.
