Houston Truck Accident Lawyer Blog

Well, it was bound to happen. The United States Department of Transportation has just given permission for truck drivers from Mexico to cross U.S. borders into our country and travel anywhere in the country. If you weren't worried about your safety before - you should be now. Research shows that the trucking industry standards in Mexico are much more lax than our own (which is saying something!).

The condition of semis and standards for upkeep are nowhere near as strict as their U.S. counterparts. Is the health of the driver even a consideration in Mexico - cause it is here with regular physicals required as a part of a semi- truck driver's ability to maintain employment. Too, signs in this country are basically in the English language - are Mexican truck drivers going to be required to speak English in order to better comprehend the rules of the road in this country?

Now the federal government has promised they will enforce a 37 point inspection AND personal interviews with each driver.

According to NAFTA officials (the source of this wonderful law that opens up our borders to Mexican drivers) Mexican drivers will have to follow all laws of documentation and safety. But the reality is that inspectors will be doing nothing more than taking the word of these drivers and inspecting vehicles on an occasional basis.

America needs tougher regulation of safety laws for truck companies not deregulation.

Continue reading "Truckers From Mexico" »

Not long ago the governor of Texas vetoed legislation that would have banned texting while driving across the state of Texas. The rationale was that government should not micromanage behavior of adults.

I strongly disagree with the veto and here's why. Study after study has shown that texting while driving can be as dangerous as drunk driving. In effect, texting while driving can make out two car lengths of safety cushion. More and more often, personal injury lawyers across the state of Texas are seeing accidents caused by inattention from cell phone use.

Many cities and municipalities across the state of Texas have undertaken the effort to pass legislation banning texting while driving in their jurisdiction. Texas desperately needed a statewide initiative so everyone can know what is acceptable to our community and what is not.

I do feel strongly that the government should not micromanage behavior of adults and that those who adopt that policy should apply it in circumstances that do not involve public safety. All too often, folks that don't want to micromanage one thing want to micromanage another that they want to push.

Like making drunk driving against the law, the government's function is to protect the society by adopting reasonable rules and restraints that society accepts and acknowledges as fair and reasonable. I would suggest that texting while driving fits those criteria.

Continue reading "Why Veto on Texas Texting Bill was Wrong" »