This is an incredibly scary proposition for everyone on the road.
The Dangers of Truck Driving
Driving a truck or big rig is one of the most dangerous jobs in America, with a fatality rate of 22.1 per 100,000 full-time workers. And this is only a fraction of the danger that commercial truck drivers pose to the public: The size of commercial trucks means that, when there is a truck accident, it is rarely the truck driver who gets seriously hurt. To make things even more dangerous, trucks often carry hazardous materials or liquids that could explode if there is an accident.
The inherent danger of truck driving has made it one of the most regulated businesses in the U.S., as politicians make an effort to prevent unqualified drivers from getting behind an 80,000 pound truck, which would put everyone else on the road in danger.
H.R. 22 would be a major blow to highway safety, as teenagers are some of the least safe drivers on the road.
Teenage Drivers are the Most Dangerous Drivers
Each and every year, more than 5,000 teenagers die in a fatal car accident. On average, that is one every hour on weekends, and one every two hours on weekdays. Drivers under 21 were involved in 66% more fatal accidents than drivers over the age of 21.
Nevertheless, H.R. 22 would allow these unreliable drivers to get behind the wheel of the largest, most dangerous vehicles on the road.
Jackie Gillan, the president of the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, said that the bill “will result in more trucking crashes, more deaths and more injuries.”
Why the Bill is Even Being Proposed
If H.R. 22 is passed, it would make driving even more risky than it already is. So why is it even being proposed?
The trucking industry is in a recruiting tailspin. The American Trucking Associations estimate that they will need to hire more than 100,000 new drivers a year over the next decade to meet the industry’s needs. And with more people being deterred from the industry by its 82 hour work weeks, low pay, and high stress environment, they are turning to new ways to fix their hiring problems.
At Hancock Injury Attorneys, we understand that this is just a business maneuver, pushing their problems onto the public in the form of increased risk. If you are ever injured in a car accident involving a tractor trailer or other commercial vehicle, having an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side is crucial. Mike Hancock has extensive knowledge and a proven track record of getting you what you need after a devastating injury. Contact us online today, or call our office at (813) 534-6319 for a free consultation.
