PA Lawmakers Seek to Help Tired Truckers, Reduce Crash Deaths
Last July, a Greyhound bus crashed into illegally parked tractor-trailers, killing three. It was a tragic wakeup call for a longstanding safety problem: the lack of parking spots for large trucks. It also underscored the growing problem of fatal truck crashes. A recent article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette commended action being taken by state officials to address the parking shortage among other measures that would help increase safety.
Deaths involving large trucks have risen 48% from 2013 to 2022, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2022, Pennsylvania recorded the most fatal crashes in five years involving heavy trucks weighing more than 26,000 pounds. The increase could be due to a rise in trucks on the road, fueled by the increase in online ordering which became popular during the pandemic.
Driver fatigue continues to be a contributing factor in fatal truck crashes with drivers logging long days on the road. However, the need to park trucks for mandatory rests has caused an additional issue. In the opening example, the tractor trailers involved were parked illegally on an exit ramp outside a rest stop. The drivers had no other place to park their trucks while they slept.
“The lack of available truck parking or the truck drivers not knowing where parking would be available can negatively impact safety,” noted the National Transportation Safety Board. Pennsylvania is one of five states where it is hardest to find a parking place for large trucks, according to truckers.
If you have been injured in a trucking accident, a Philadelphia law firm experienced in handling trucking accident lawsuits can help you understand your legal rights. Contact us to arrange a convenient time to speak.