Ohio, perhaps more than some other states throughout the country, regularly sees commercial trucks of all varieties making use of its roads. This means that passenger cars are often put in the situation of driving alongside straight trucks and tractor-trailers, posing a potentially dangerous situation. The presence of commercial trucks require that additional safety precautions be taken to ensure drivers' safety, but the National Transportation Safety Board says that not enough is being done.
According to the NTSB, straight trucks may pose a greater threat to roadway safety than previously thought. After engaging in a five-year study which looked into trucking accidents for a range of vehicles, the NTSB found that straight trucks are responsible for a disproportionate amount of fatal accidents. They suggest these accidents are due, in part, to a lack of federal trucking regulations to which many other commercial vehicles are subject.
Given these findings, the NTSB has made a series of recommendations to various agencies throughout the federal government. One of the most significant proposals is a recommendation that all straight truck drivers require the same commercial driver's license that other truck drivers are required to have. Furthermore, they suggest that straight trucks make use of precautionary rear underride guards to help protect other drivers from serious injuries. Lastly, the board suggests that improving straight trucks' ability to see into their blind spots could help truck drivers avoid hitting unseen drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
The consequences of an accident with a straight truck, similar to tractor-trailers, can be devastating. The size and weight of trucks can often cause serious and even fatal accident with smaller vehicles. Those injured in accidents with straight trucks may face not only significant medical expenses, but also lost wages and sometimes even decreased lifelong earning potential. In these instances, those injured may wish to seek financial compensation by contacting a legal professional and taking action.
Source: TruckingInfo.com, "NTSB Says Straight-Truck Safety Needs More Attention," June 6, 2013