Anyone who has spent time behind a tractor trailer on one of Missouri’s interstate highways or roads understands the old bumper sticker that reads, “Without trucks, America stops.” This is true since most freight and goods in America spends time in transit on a truck. But sometimes trucks can stop traffic, or a life.
Missouri sits at the crossroads of the country, and more trucks pass through the state than many other places. This has unfortunately contributed to the Show-Me State’s poor truck safety record, as more accidents involving trucks happen in Missouri than on average and more people are killed by them.
The government in Jefferson City is mulling a new law that would cut size limits on trucks and trailers, a move favored by several industries as a possibility for profits. Opponents argue that safety would suffer, as well as the condition of Missouri roads.
A trade organization for independent truckers has come out in opposition of a new proposal to lower the age limit for interstate commercial truck driving. The main reason is road safety, as more experienced drivers are thought to be less likely to cause truck accidents.
The organization states that commercial drivers aged 19 or 20 are six times more likely than older age groups to be involved in a crash that causes a fatality. Driver below age 19 are four times more likely to be in a fatal accident as well.
Victims of truck accidents and the survivors of truck crash fatalities have the right to sue for financial damages in civil court. An attorney may help victims and their families prepare a case for mediation, settlement or a jury trial.
Source: Fleet Owner, “OOIDA says bill to open interstate trucking to younger drivers is unsafe,” accessed May 11, 2018
