The Truck Safety Coalition joined with survivors of truck accidents and families of victims for the annual Sorrow to Strength event in Washington, D.C. The event, which is intended to advance truck safety, was comprised of workshops and meetings with transportation officials and members of Congress..
The coalition is working to build support for the Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act (SHIPA), which would freeze federal limits on truck size and weight at their current levels. The bill would also close loopholes that allow trucks over the weight limit to operate, and establish a program of enforcement.
Joan Claybrook, chair of Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways (CRASH), said that trucking interests were pushing Congress for increased weight limits, even amid continuing high fatality rates from truck accidents.
The Truck Safety Coalition said that its new national poll revealed that 68 percent of the public oppose increased truck weight limits, with 47 percent strongly opposed.
Truck safety advocates were also pushing for onboard electronic recorders on trucks to prevent safety risks, such as driving too long without rest. The activists also favor increasing the minimum insurance that trucking companies are required to carry, as some injuries suffered by truck crash victims exhaust the company’s policy.
The coalition said it was dedicated to providing support to truck crash victims, reducing deaths and injuries from truck accidents and educating the public and policymakers about truck safety.
Bob Briskman is a tractor trailer and truck accident attorney with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. To learn more call 1.877.595.4878 or visit http://www.briskmanandbriskman.com/.
