FMCSA's Gift to Texas Truck Safety Groups, Accident Lawyers

Barely a few weeks after a new chief took over at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, comes a new rule that is an encouraging sign to Texas truck accident attorneys. The rule requires new bus and truck companies to strictly comply with the agency's 16 federal regulations, or risk failing the safety audit that is conducted within 18 months of a new carrier's registration.

These regulations include regular drug and alcohol testing for drivers, using qualified drivers with valid CDL's, conducting periodic inspections and repairs of trucks, using physically fit drivers, and other regulations. New companies that fail to comply with these regulations risk not being eligible for permanent registration of their companies.

Texas has a particularly bad record with truck and bus accidents. The Sherman bus accident that killed 15 Vietnamese American pilgrims when their bus crashed through a guardrail, is still fresh in public memory. The NTSB bus accident report determined that a tire blowout was the main reason for that crash. Texas also has a dubious reputation as the truck accident capital of the country, with more truck crash fatalities being recorded here than in any other state. 

These high rates of fatalities and the obvious risk to the motorists who share the highways with these trucks and the passengers who ride these buses, has been a source of concern to Texas truck accident lawyers for a while now.  The new rule is definitely the right note on which to end the year. Now, If only 2010 would see the FMCSA mandating on-board recorders and sleep apnea testing for all drivers, and requiring seatbelts on motor coaches, it would truly be a Happy New Year!

Please contact our legal team with any questions about Trucking Accidents in Harris County, Dallas County, Tarrant County, Bexar County, Travis County, El Paso County, Collin County, Hidalgo County, Denton County, and more via email at info@smslegal.com.