The new administration in Washington has been big on deregulation, and highly supportive of big business, which unfortunately tends to have negative effects on workers. In the case of the trucking industry, it could also result in increased danger on the roadways and a much greater risk of serious accidents.
What is this proposed new law and what are the dangers it presents? Check out some information about a new deregulation of the trucking industry and the potentially disastrous effects it could have on potential trucking accidents.
Proposed New Law
A current House appropriations bill is being discussed, which includes a provision for rolling back important protections on truck drivers across the nation. Currently, there are laws in place requiring truck drivers to take breaks after every few hours of work. In California, the requirements are 30 minute breaks for meals and a 10-minute rest per four hours of work.
Other states have varying regulations, but the current appropriations bill seeks to preempt state regulations, which would lift these restrictions.
Freedom or Danger?
Some people will undoubtedly hail this new legislation as a victory. They will say that it allows truck drivers more freedom to operate as they see fit. After all, they say, if a trucker isn’t tired after four hours of driving, or if they’re not hungry, why should they have to stop and take a break? Lifting this requirement, they claim, will allow truckers to get work done faster and better stay on schedule.
On one hand, it’s hard to argue with these sentiments. On the other, there’s a real reason why the regulations are in place to begin with. There is a very real possibility that passing this law could open up the roadways to serious danger.
Trucking Accidents on the Rise
Here’s the problem: trucking accidents are already on the rise, even without lifting the rest requirements. In 2016 alone, there were over 15,000 accidents involving large trucks in just the state of California. Nearly 9,000 of these occurred in the Los Angeles area. Nationwide, there were approximately 87,000 accidents involving injuries in 2015, with 4,311 of those involving fatalities also involving trucks or buses. Dozens of these, in turn, are caused by inattentive, fatigued or drowsy drivers.
With truckers under increased pressure from employers to stick to their schedule, these laws form important protections against bad decisions. Without a law in place requiring a driver to stop and get some rest, truckers may force themselves to drive when they really shouldn’t be on the road. This will in turn lead to an even greater incidence of trucking accidents.
What to Do if You’re in an Accident
Trucking accidents can be truly catastrophic due to the size of the vehicles involved. If you’ve been injured in an accident with a big rig, you may be entitled to significant compensation. To get your best shot at collecting damages, you’ll need help from a qualified California truck accident attorney. Call Gruber Law Group for a free case consult today!
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