Everyday drivers have to worry about the normal
dangers on the road: distracted drivers, speeders, tailgaters, drunk drivers,
and sleepy truck drivers. But in the
near future, drivers might have to worry about teenage drivers behind the wheel
of tractor trailers on interstate highways.
The
trucking industry has been lobbying on Capitol Hill to get legislation passed
that would allow longer trucks (33 feet long instead of 28 feet) and lower the
minimum age of commercial truck drivers who drive across state lines to between 19 and a half and 21 years of age. And, just
this past Thursday, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unanimously
passed this bill. We will have to see if
the Senate passes this as well.
Tractor trailers and
other large trucks are already dangerous on the road with current rules and
regulations in place. Current problems
with truck drivers include falling asleep behind the wheel, speeding,
distracted driving, and drunk driving.
Research has shown that on average, large trucks are involved in about
10 fatal crashes everyday nationwide.
The number of fatal truck accidents has steadily increased each of the
last 6 years. In these horrific accidents,
it is not usually the truck driver who dies, but instead the occupant/s in the
smaller vehicle.
Lowering the minimum
driving age for commercial truck driving across state lines would certainly
lead to a substantial increase in deadly accidents on highways across the
country. Drivers between the ages of 18
and 20 are involved in twice as many fatal car accidents than drivers 21 and
over. The risks involved with driving a
car do not even compare to the risks and difficulty level of driving an
18-wheeler tractor trailer. Maryland
state law already allows 18 year old drivers to obtain commercial drivers’
licenses, however, they are only permitted to drive commercial vehicles within
the state. Their commercial driver’s
license does not permit them to drive commercial vehicles across state lines
due to a federal ban. Numerous studies
have proven year after year that young drivers under the age of 21 are more
likely to speed and engage in risky driving behavior, such as driving when
tired.
If you or a
family member have been injured or killed in a truck accident and would like to
consult an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney for free, contact our
office at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our office
locations in Frederick
or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Auto-Accidents/Truck-Accidents/
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