Commercial truck safety is one of the focuses of the National Transportation Safety Board’s 2019-2020 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements. Truck fleet owners based in California should be aware of the various recommendations that the NTSB makes within it, as they could affect their operations.
The NSTB is first of all intent on eliminating distracted driving. It recommends the insertion of driver distraction codes on traffic accident investigation forms, the development of features that disable phones in moving vehicles and the nationwide banning of the use of all handheld electronic devices with the exception of navigation software.
Also desired is an end to impaired driving. The NTSB has asked the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for access to its positive drug and alcohol test results and recommends the same organization to work on reducing the use of impairing substances among truckers. Reducing speeding-related crashes, especially through speed limiters, figures on the list as well. The NTSB is promoting the use of forward collision avoidance systems on trucks and buses.
The Most Wanted List has two items on obstructive sleep apnea. The FMCSA is being encouraged to evaluate and monitor truck fleets’ fatigue management programs and to start identifying which commercial drivers have a high risk for OSA. OSA should be screened and tested for among highway and rail personnel in safety-sensitive positions.
Speeding and drowsy, distracted and impaired driving are just a few of the most common forms of negligence on the road. Those who are injured in truck accidents and who are thinking about filing a personal injury claim may want to see a lawyer beforehand. The lawyer may evaluate the case under California’s comparative negligence rule, determining how much victims might be eligible for. If retained, the lawyer may hire investigators, medical experts and other third parties to strengthen the case.
