September 2018 Archives
Understanding construction site car accidents
A variety of factors can contribute to the severity of a car crash. One recent fatal crash involved six people sustaining injuries, and part of the severity involved the vehicle driving over a patch of loose dirt and gravel, which was there from recent construction.
Car accident spike linked to always connected mobile workforce
For many people in Missouri and other parts of the country, the work day is no longer confined to an office. It's becoming increasingly commonplace for employees to remain connected with co-workers, supervisors, bosses, clients, leads and customers via smartphones while on the road. According to results detailed in the 2018 Distracted Driving Report, the increase in the so-called "mobile workforce" correlates with an increase in vehicle accident rates.
Large-scale inspection puts thousands of trucks out of service
Some Missouri drivers may be a bit concerned when they have to share the road with trucks and other larger vehicles. Normally, there's nothing to worry about if such vehicles are well-maintained and the drivers are following rules specific to their industry. However, the results of an inspection blitz spearheaded by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance suggest drivers of smaller vehicles may have cause for concern. During a three-day period June 5-7, nearly 70,000 roadside inspections were conducted and 11,000-plus trucks and buses and nearly 3,000 drivers were taken out of service.
FMCSA proposes changes to hours-of-service rules for truckers
The hours-of-service rules set up by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration have been controversial for some truck drivers and fleet owners in Missouri. However, the FMCSA announced in August 2018 that it may revise some of the rules. Now it is seeking input on these proposals, even holding public listening sessions in various locations. Below are the proposed changes.
Drivers say worry distracts them more than cellphones
Two studies suggest that motorists in Missouri and around the country have heightened concerns about distracted drivers. Almost two-thirds of the drivers polled by the Swedish car maker Volvo and a research company said that distraction behind the wheel worried them more than intoxication, but the studies also reveal that an alarming number of the respondents were frequently guilty of this reckless behavior themselves.
