Rep. James McGovern (D-MA) and Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) are supporting the Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act (SHIPA) on Capitol Hill. The legislation would prevent more carriers from operating overweight trucks and would prevent increases in truck weight limits and truck sizes. The bill, which is supported by the Truck Safety Coalition, would also increase enforcement of current truck laws and would expand the number of highways where truck limits are currently used.
Many groups and safety advocates agree that more needs to be done about overweight and oversize trucks on the nation’s highways. According to advocacy group Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways (CRASH), about 4000 Americans are killed each year and many more are seriously injured due to truck accidents. According to the group, heavy trucks are a major cause for concern for anyone wanting to prevent serious traffic accidents in Davie and any community across the nation.
Industry experts, however, note that studies have not conclusively proven that larger trucks result in more accidents. They also note that limiting the size and weight of trucks will eventually mean more trucks on the road, as consumer good deliveries and industrial deliveries increase. More trucks can also mean more accidents. Moreover, some safety experts note that truck drivers and truck carriers are already subject to many rules and regulations designed to protect others on the road. This has led some to suggest more rules for drivers of passenger cars to help prevent traffic accidents.
While legislators and advocacy groups seek solutions for car and truck accidents in Davie and across the country, the Federal Highway Administration has announced plans for a study about truck weight limits and truck sizes. The study is to be completed by November 2014.
Whether the new bills pass or not, there are still many things that people can do to help prevent truck and car accidents in Davie and other communities:
•Write to local representatives to express support for bills that may help reduce traffic accidents
•Hone your own driving skills to prevent accidents
•Drive only when sober and alert
•Join an advocacy group aimed at raising awareness about traffic issues
•Consult your community about any high-risk road areas or poorly maintained streets
•Keep your car in good condition
•Report trucks that are in poor condition or driving dangerously
•Obey the rules of the road
If you have been injured in a truck accident in Davie or anywhere in Southern Florida, contact the Flaxman Law Group for a free case review with a personal injury attorney. The full-service law firm can handle every aspect of your case, so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries. If you have a claim, the Flaxman Law Group can help you aggressively pursue any compensation you may qualify for in order to pay for medical costs, lost income, and other damages you may have incurred. The Flaxman Law Group team of legal professionals has already recovered more than $25 million on behalf of accident and injury victims. Call today to find out what the legal team can do for you.