Item: Flaxman Law Group
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Author: Clara Barman

Trucking Industry Claims New Federal Rules May Not Help Prevent Truck Accidents in Homestead and other US Cities

Published on: July 27, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

New federal safety rules were passed this month, mandating more rest for truckers, closing some break loopholes, and ensuring that commercial truck drivers work shorter shifts. While some safety experts claim that the move may help prevent fatigue-related truck accidents in Homestead and across the country, some are claiming that the new safety rules may cause some problems.

According to some experts, the new rules will exacerbate a truck driver shortage and will reduce productivity, likely also increasing costs for businesses. Federal regulators claim that these problems will be balanced by improved safety on the roads and fewer accidents, but some in the truck industry say the rules may not necessarily improve safety.

The Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration predict that the new rules may help prevent 19 traffic deaths and 560 injuries as well as 1400 collisions. The agencies estimate that the rules will save $280 million in prevented collisions and $470 million in terms of better driver health.

The new rules reduce the number of weekly hours allowed for drivers from 82 down to 70. In addition, drivers will be required to take a 30 minute break after eight hours of driving and will need a 34-hour rest break weekly. This means that most truck companies will need to hire more drivers to maintain the same travel routes. With an already tight job market, this means that some truck carriers may scramble to fill those positions. This raises a basic question: what quality of drivers will be hired if there is already a shortage and truck carriers need to hire more?

Another problem will be productivity, which is estimated to decline about 3% as a result of the rules. The trucking industry is a $600 billion industry and the new rules are expected to increase costs for the industry by about $18 million. The Department of Transportation also estimates that hiring and training new drivers can also add about $320 million in costs. This means that truck companies may have less money to put towards maintenance and safety improvements.

While some experts question whether the new rules might not have a negative impact, others claim that the rules do not go far enough in preventing truck and car accidents in Homestead and other US cities. The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety in Washington argues that truck drivers should be given a continuous 48-hour rest break each week and should be limited to driving only 10 consecutive hours at a time.

Most experts agree that fatigued driving contributed to about 13% of traffic accidents in Homestead and across the country each year. However, there is some disagreement about how best to address the issue.

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New Fire Truck Simulator May Help Prevent Trucking Accidents in Coral Springs

Published on: July 25, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

Coral Springs firefighters have access to a new fire truck simulator for training, and some local authorities say that the new technology may help prevent truck and car accidents in Coral Springs and surrounding areas. The Coral Springs Fire Department has purchased the simulator to make training easier for firefighters and drivers. The department already has one simulator and has added another mobile simulator to make training more accessible.

The new technology will help firefighters train in conditions that mimic pouring rain and heavy traffic as well as other conditions which are difficult to recreate on demand during traditional driver training. In addition, the simulator will help firefighters train in extreme conditions as well, since the simulator can mimic city traffic after a plane crash and other unique situations.

Why Fire Truck Accidents Take Place

According to local experts, the simulator is important because driving is an important part of the equation when firefighters respond to emergency calls. Long before they can arrive at the scene to save lives and prevent serious burn injuries in Coral Springs, firefighters must rush through city streets to arrive at the destination. The bulkiness of fire trucks, coupled with the high speed of travel can lead to accidents.

Firefighting trucks carry not only emergency help, but also considerable equipment. Like all large trucks, they have multiple blind spots and are quite heavy. Navigating these trucks through Coral Springs streets is difficult. While traffic and pedestrians are supposed to get out of the way of fire trucks rushing to an emergency, not all drivers obey this rule. As a result of this problem and as a result of driver error, fire truck accidents in Coral Springs do occur. When they do occur, serious injury is the common result. In addition, if the fire truck is delayed there may be secondary injuries if the people needing emergency help do not receive assistance in time due to a traffic accident delay.

Preventing Fire Truck Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, each year across the US about 2000 fire truck accidents take place. These can lead to serious injuries and even fatalities. The Coral Springs fire department hopes to avoid these types of fire truck accidents in Coral Springs by providing the simulator and additional training. The fire department is also the only South Florida department to buy a mobile driving simulator. This will allow the fire department to share the technology to hopefully prevent traffic accidents in other communities as well.

Simulators have been show to prevent traffic accidents by providing additional driver training, according to the Coral Springs fire department. The department also believes that the new purchase is a cost-effective one, since additional training may help the department prevent injuries to fire department vehicles and equipment.

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Single-Unit Trucks are also Responsible for Truck Accidents in Homestead and other Communities

Published on: July 13, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recently completed a study about the safety of single unit trucks. These trucks have a weight rating of at least 10,000 pounds but do not have detachable cargo units. Single unit trucks also have axles attached to one frame. These trucks are not subject to all the same safety rules that the federal government applies to tractor-trailers. Nevertheless, 10,000 pounds or more of a single unit truck can still cause a serious truck accident in Homestead or anywhere in the country and can still pose a higher risk than a passenger vehicle due to its size and force.

The NTSB examined single unit truck accident collision data from hospital reports, state records, police reports, case reviews, and federal databases dating from 2005 to 2009. According to the NTSB, about 1800 fatalities across the country each year are attributable to single unit truck collisions. As well, thousands of injuries can be related each year to these types of vehicles.

The study concluded that single unit trucks are part of a “disproportionate number” of multivehicle collisions as well as passenger vehicle fatalities. Each year, these trucks cause permanent injuries, including head injuries in Homestead and other communities across the nation.

As a part of the study, the NTSB recommended that safety rules be changed so that single unit trucks have some of the same federal rules apply to them as tractor-trailers. Specifically, the agency would like to see single unit trucks have rear underride guards as well as safety features that would improve visibility. Single unit truck still have large blind spots, and the agency would like to see additional measures taken to prevent car accidents, bicycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents involving these types of larger trucks. In addition, the agency recommended changing the classification of these trucks, arguing that currently the truck classification for single unit trucks leads to underreporting of accidents involving these vehicles. Finally, the NTSB recommended driver license changes which would require drivers of single unit trucks to have to face some of the same requirements as commercial tractor-trailer truck drivers.

Single unit truck accidents lead to car accidents in Homestead as well as other communities, and according to safety experts and government agencies more can be done to prevent these types of accidents. Tractor-trailers are recognized as potential dangers on the road and a number of federal safety standards have been passed to ensure that drivers and motor carriers of larger trucks must adhere to certain safety standards. However, experts agree that more needs to be done to prevent traffic accidents in Homestead and across the country related to smaller commercial trucks.

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Avoid Road Trip Truck Accidents in Miami Beach and Other Communities

Published on: July 10, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

During the summer, many families head out to Miami Beach and other Florida communities for a road trip. Southern Florida is an ideal place for this type of trip, since the coast is beautiful and the entire area is filled with unique communities and tourist attractions to explore. If you are headed to the area, you will want to take steps to ensure that a car or truck accident in Miami Beach or another community does not ruin your vacation:

1) Plan your trip carefully. A successful trip is a well-planned trip. You do not want to risk a rear-end accident in Miami Beach or another community because you are making frequent stops because you are lost. Plan your route and map your route before you go. Decide where you will stop and mark rest stops, restaurants, and hotels on your way so that you know where you can stop. Check road conditions and weather conditions before you go as well, so that you are prepared.

2) Take frequent breaks. Driving too long is unpleasant and can make you tired, which can cause you to make mistakes that can lead to a collision. Schedule regular stops into your trip and use these to drink water, get a snack, and stretch your legs.

3) Carefully consider your car before going on your trip. Make sure that it is in good mechanical condition and ready to drive. If you are sharing the road with commercial trucks, especially, you may need to make sudden maneuvers to avoid a crash. Make sure your car can handle various driving conditions.

4) Assign a co-pilot. If possible, travel with someone who can check maps, look out for road signs, and handle any mobile devices. This way, you can put your entire focus on driving. Many traffic accidents in Miami Beach and across the country are caused by distraction, and you can help prevent this type of accident by having another passenger take care of everything but driving, so that you can concentrate on the road.

5) Take turns driving. If possible, have someone else drive some of the time. This will allow you to see more and will help prevent fatigue and distraction behind the wheel, keeping you safer on the road.

6) Prepare yourself physically for the trip. Driving is physically and mentally tiring. Before your trip, get a good night’s rest and be sure that you are physically in good condition and well-nourished. Eat healthy snacks and drink plenty of water on the trip. Try to get a little exercise when you make stops.

7) Avoid road dangers. Do not drink and drive or try to drive when you are sleepy. Avoid trying to use your mobile phone as you drive. When on the highways, especially, even minor distractions can lead to a disastrous collision.

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Officials Want to Help You Avoid a Car or Truck Accident in Miami Beach This Weekend

Published on: July 3, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

With the Fourth of July weekend here, authorities and officials are warning Florida residents to use extra caution to avoid traffic collisions in Miami Beach and other communities. There are a number of risk factors involved this weekend, including:

1) Busier streets. Miami Beach sees an influx of tourists at this time every year, and this year is no different. More tourists and more visitors can mean more cars on the road as well as more pedestrians. To avoid being involved in a car crash in Miami Beach or surrounding areas, account for added traffic when planning your trips and use extra caution on the roads.

2) Parties and other events where alcohol will be served. During this weekend, alcohol is a part of many celebrations and authorities say that this can increase the risk of drunk driving accidents in Miami Beach and across Florida. If you plan on drinking, leave your car at home and use public transportation or a designated driver to get home safely. Leaving your car at home reduces the temptation to drive home. Keep in mind that even if you have only a “few drinks” your mobility and focus may be impaired enough to put you at risk of a serious accident. If you drink at all, find another way of getting home. Even if you do not plan on drinking, have a “get home safely” plan in place this weekend. That may mean having extra cash for a cab, a bus schedule, or a friend’s number on hand. This way, if you do end up drinking you can still get home safely.

3) Special events. Special events can mean more pedestrian traffic, traffic delays, and unusual traffic (such as food trucks or delivery trucks) crammed into a relatively small area. If you are headed to a special event this weekend, consider taking public transportation or carpooling. If you need to drive by a special event, stay alert for revelers and added traffic. Slow down and focus on driving.

4) More trucks in the area. More trucks in the area can mean a greater risk of truck accidents in Miami Beach. With the special holiday events and the number of tourists, there will be food trucks in the area as well as more delivery trucks in the community as businesses gear up for a busy tourist season. In addition, there may be more shuttle tours and bus tours for tourists, which can increase the risk of bus accidents in Miami Beach and surrounding areas. If you are driving this weekend, take extra care.

5) Busy schedules. If you are working this weekend or trying to finalize plans, you may find that you are distracted and trying to do too much. Unfortunately, distraction is a leading cause of truck and car crashes in Miami Beach and across the country. Delicate some tasks, turn off mobile devices when driving, and try to get some extra sleep this weekend. You will feel better and be safer on the roads.

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Truck Drivers Get Serious About Health to Prevent Truck Accidents in Miami and Other Florida Cities

Published on: June 25, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

There is a well-established link between truck driver health and truck safety. Truck drivers in poor physical shape are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea, obesity, heart disease, and other medical conditions that can eventually lead to truck accidents in Miami and other communities. Unfortunately, commercial truck drivers also tend to have one of the least healthy lifestyles among the working classes. Shift work, frequent travel, long days of sitting, stress, and poor eating on the road can all contribute to poor health and can eventually lead to truck and car accidents in Miami and other cities.

Fortunately, some commercial truck drivers are striking back against the unhealthy lifestyle. Through groups such as Driving Healthy, The Healthy Trucker, and others, commercial truck drivers are making important lifestyle changes to lose weight and get healthier so that they can stay safer on the roads. According to safety experts, truck drivers can do this by:

1) Getting exercise. One of the biggest risk factors associated with trucking is that truck drivers spend hours each day sitting and driving. Studies have shown that workers who sit for more than eight hours per day have a higher risk of heart disease and earlier death. To exercise, truck drivers need to stay motivated and they need to fit in workouts in small increments – while a truck is being loaded or fueled up, for instance, or before the day starts. Some truck drivers use social media or a journal to keep track of exercise so that they stay motivated to work out each day.

2) Making the best food choices possible. One of the biggest challenges to truck driver health is diet. Many truck drivers grab fast food, which is inexpensive and convenient, but also contains a lot of fat and calories with very little nutritious value. Few truck drivers can cook in their trucks, and relying on fast food can lead to obesity and health problems, which in turn can increase a truck driver’s risk of traffic accidents in Miami and other communities. Some truck drivers are stocking up on healthier no-cook options in grocery stores. Foods such as fresh fruit and salads from a salad bar can be a better option than hamburgers. Truck drivers who have an inverter in their truck can cook using portable kitchen appliances and many truck drivers also use slow cookers in their cabs to cook up their own meals rather than relying on junk foods.

3) Getting regular check-ups. Since commercial truck drivers travel a lot, visiting the doctor regularly can be a challenge. However, making an effort to visit clinics and to get regular check-ups can ensure that any health problems are caught and treated early – before they become a real danger.

4) Avoiding smoking, excessive caffeine, and other stimulants. Truck drivers who have deadlines to meet will sometimes use stimulants to stay awake, but these are very unhealthy and put extra stress on the heart and on the entire body. Adequate rest and sleep is the best option for staying healthy.

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Reasons Why Everyone Needs to Be More Concerned About Truck Accidents in Miami and Other Florida Cities at This Time of Year

Published on: June 18, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

Truck accidents in Miami and other Florida communities are a year-round problem. Throughout all seasons, truck collisions cause hazardous spills, fatalities, and serious injuries. Each year, for example, people are rushed to local emergency rooms in Miami with burns and head injuries caused by truck collisions. In the summer, however, truck accidents can be an even greater risk for a few reasons:

1) Traffic tends to change during the summer. In the summer months, traffic patterns change for a few reasons:

•Seasonal businesses mean different trucks and more trucks on the roads
•Summer means more tourists on the roads, sharing space with trucks
•There are more pedestrians and bicyclists sharing the roadways with traffic
•Roadwork can mean traffic detours and changing road conditions
All of these changes may mean that drivers need to adapt to new road conditions to avoid being involved in a truck or car accident in Miami or their community.

2) There are more trucks – and different types of trucks — on the roads in the summer. Miami really comes alive in the summer, and this can mean more trucks on the roads as businesses order more products to meet tourist and customer demands. Higher truck traffic can mean more traffic collisions in Miami and surrounding areas, especially if the new truck routes are taken over by new drivers who are less familiar with the challenges of driving in Miami. Another road hazard at this time of year is that there are different types of trucks on the road – each with their own hazards. Moving trucks are more common at this time of year, for example, and can cause accidents. Food trucks and trucks moving event-related equipment are also more common and can cause unique challenges on the road.

3) Heat and weather become a factor during the summer. Miami summers mean high heat, humidity, and sometimes heavy showers. Unfortunately, these weather conditions can all contribute to truck, car and motorcycle accidents in Miami and across Florida. Heat can magnify drowsiness and fatigue while rain can cause slippery road conditions. Heat can also put extra pressure on older cars and especially on tires, potentially leading to tire blowouts and other problems. Glare and bright sunlight can easily cause car and pedestrian collisions in Miami and surrounding areas because bright sunlight reduces a driver’s ability to see clearly.

The bottom line is simple: driving conditions change considerably from season to season and to avoid collisions in the summer it is important for all Miami drivers to use extra caution and to adjust their driving to the conditions.

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Passenger Car Drivers Have a Key Role to Play in Preventing Distraction-Related Truck Accidents in Fort Lauderdale and Other Cities

Published on: June 14, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

When car and truck accidents in Fort Lauderdale and other cities occur, passenger car occupants are usually the ones injured due to the size difference between the two types of vehicles. While in some cases truck drivers cause the accident, distracted passenger car drivers are a major contributor to both truck and car accidents in Fort Lauderdale and across the state. While truck drivers are subject to strict federal rules designed to prevent fatigued driving, passenger car drivers have far fewer rules to follow. This means that passenger car drivers must take responsibility to prevent collisions. According to experts, there are several things that passenger car drivers can do to curb distracted driving:

1) Adjust car systems before driving or ask a passenger for help. It is a good idea to use a pre-programmed playlist on an MP3 player on a longer drive or to rely on pre-programmed radio stations, since changing a CD can be very dangerous on the road. In addition to music, A/C, mirrors, and other basic items should be changed or adjusted before starting the car – not on the road.

2) Mobile devices should be off when driving. Much has been written about distracted driving and cell phones. While commercial truck drivers are banned from texting and driving, Florida drivers of passenger cars do not face the same ban. Despite this, the road is safer for everyone when all drivers focus on the road rather than their cell phone. Turn the cell phone off before hopping in the car so that you will not be tempted to check the device. Studies have shown that talking or texting while talking does contribute to traffic accidents in Fort Lauderdale and other US cities. Research has also suggested that hands-free devices are not entirely safe, either, as they remove a driver’s focus from the road. The best practice, experts agree, is to leave mobile devices off entirely when driving.

3) Set rules for passengers. Conversations with other passengers can be very distracting. In fact, studies have shown that teen drivers, in particular, significantly increase their risk of a car accident with every passenger in the car with them. For adult drivers, children and pets can be a significant distraction. For this reason, it is a good idea to distract children with child-appropriate car games and to set rules for car rides. Pets should be placed in kennels or carriers for every car ride.

4) Do not eat or drink while driving. While many people know that drinking and driving accidents in Fort Lauderdale are a serious concern, many do not realize that safety experts consider drinking coffee (or any beverage) while driving to be very dangerous as well. Eating and drinking takes your focus off the road and if you spill your food you may be distracted enough to cause a serious collision.

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Shift Work a Real Issue in Terms of Truck Accident Risks in Miami and Other Cities

Published on: June 12, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

Large cities such as Miami pride themselves on working around the clock. No matter what time it is in Miami, chances are that someone is working. While that means convenience for the customer, a 2012 study published in the British Medical Journal finds that shift workers – especially truck drivers – are at an increased risk of accidents and illness due to their work. Quite simply, working shifts can increase the risk of a truck accident in Miami and other communities.

The risk for truck drivers is that they often work in ever-changing shifts to accommodate deadlines set by motor carriers. They may have to drive late at night one week and work days the next. According to researchers, truck drivers and those employees who work shifts are more prone to a number of illnesses, including:

•Strokes
•Heart attacks
•Obesity
•High Cholesterol
•Diabetes
•Sleep Apnea
•High blood sugar
•Arthritis
•Joint and Back Pain
According to the study’s authors, the issue is that shift work leads to a breakdown in the nervous system, which can result in these types of serious illnesses. In truck drivers, an additional problem is that drivers sit down for much of their work and due to hectic schedules may not get much exercise, which further puts them at risk.

Shift work can also result in serious fatigue, and as numerous studies have shown, fatigued driving results in many truck and car collisions in Miami and across the country. Of course, when truck drivers have serious health issues, they are even at greater risk of being in a traffic accident in Miami or another city. If a truck driver has a stroke or heart attack behind the wheel, the resulting loss of control of the truck can cause a devastating crash that claims many lives. Even non-life-threatening illnesses, such as sleep apnea, are very serious for truck drivers because they can cause the driver to lose control of their vehicle and cause a crash.

The study in the British Medical Journal suggests that truck drivers and other shift workers can be protected from some of the dangerous effects of shift work if:

•The work schedule is limited to 12 hours
•Workers are given two full nights of sleep before a night shift and day shift
•Workers are not made to work a night shift permanently
One of the obstacles with truck drivers is that in many cases drivers face pressure at work to drive for longer distances and work longer hours in order to meet deadlines. Although there are federal rules in place to prevent truck drivers from working exceedingly long hours, these rules are sometimes broken. In too many cases, this results in serious traffic collisions in Miami and across the country.

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Face-Tracking Technology Could Reduce Trucking Accidents in Miami and Across the Country, Experts Say

Published on: June 4, 2013 | By Flaxman Law Group

Caterpillar, a company that makes mining equipment, is launching face-tracking and eye-tracking technology that it claims can reduce fatigue-related truck accidents. Could the new product help prevent truck and car accidents in Miami and other cities? The technology is a combination of software, sensors, and alarms which monitor the truck driver and issue an alert when the driver shows signs of potentially falling asleep. Some companies, including Newmont Mining and BHP Billiton have conducted trials with the new technology and initial reports suggest that the system is impressive.

Would the system work better than other systems already in place to prevent car and truck accidents in Miami and other cities? According to the makers of the face-tracking and eye-tracking technology, the new system is different because truck drivers do not need to wear special equipment for the system to work. As well, the technology works even when truck drivers switch shifts.

The system uses cameras and sensors to determine when a driver is looking away from the road, how often the driver blinks, and how long the driver’s eyes remain shut. The aim is to detect micro-sleep – a state in which a fatigued person falls asleep for fractions of a second without being aware of the sleep time. When the system detects a state of micro-sleep it agitates the driver’s seat and sounds an alarm to wake the driver up. The system also sends a report back to the driver’s employers to alert them of the problem. The company that hired the driver can also review data from the truck and the cameras and can get a video feed of the driver’s eyes.

Caterpillar acknowledges that there are still some issues with the technology. Currently, the system cannot differentiate between a driver looking down and closing their eyes. This means that driver who glances down may trigger the alarm. Despite this, Newmont Mining told the BBC that in a trial of the technology the company was able to reduce fatigue-related issues by 90%.

Currently, the main system preventing fatigue-related truck and traffic accidents in Miami and across the country are federal laws which dictate the maximum number of hours truck drivers can work and require specific rest periods. The federal laws also require commercial truck drivers to keep a log of hours driven and rests taken. As safety experts have noted, however, it is easy to circumvent these rules and to falsify logs. The federal laws also do not address fatigue caused by sleep disorders or illness. The new technology, according to some experts, will address signs of fatigue and as a result may be a better way of preventing truck collisions in Miami and other cities.

One of the biggest obstacles to the technology may be cost. According to Caterpillar, equipping just one truck with the technology costs up to $20 000. Currently, many truck carriers do not install other potentially life-saving technology due to costs and this technology is expensive.

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