The National Safety Council has released its preliminary estimates on traffic injuries and fatalities in 2018, and it appears that for the third year in a row, fatalities have exceeded the 40,000 mark. Residents of Louisiana should know that 2018 saw a 1% decrease in both fatalities and injuries. Yet compared to 2015, the number of fatalities is up by 14%.
Drowsy driving and its safety risks
In a AAA survey, almost one third of respondents admitted that they had driven at least once in the past month in such a drowsy condition that they could hardly keep their eyes open. Louisiana residents should be aware that there are several factors that are making drowsy driving almost unavoidable for many. Few areas in the nation have comprehensive public transport systems, for example.
CVSA's brake inspection spree to go from September 15 to 21
Every year, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance holds a week-long inspection spree to enforce brake safety among CMVs, especially big rigs. This spree, called Brake Safety Week, has been scheduled to take place from September 15 to 21, so truckers in Louisiana will want to make sure they are meeting the federal requirements for regular truck maintenance.
FMCSA expected to relax hours-of-service rules
Truck drivers in Louisiana and around the country are generally paid based on the number of miles they cover and not the amount of time they spend on the road. This compensation arrangement could prompt drivers to remain behind the wheel even after fatigue has set in, which is why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has put hours-of-service regulations into place that strictly limit the length of their shifts. Groups lobbying on behalf of the logistics industry have long urged regulators to relax the rules, and recent media reports suggest that the Trump administration plans to do just that.
