A proposed rule that would have required truck drivers to submit to screenings for sleep apnea has been withdrawn by the Department of Transportation. The rule faced fierce opposition from truck drivers and some members of the trucking industry. The rule would have offered clarification to carriers and medical examiners concerning when truck drivers should be referred for sleep apnea testing. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published a notice on Aug. 4, 2017, announcing its … [Read more...]
Injuries at Amusement Parks Are Common
While many Tennesseans enjoy visiting amusement parks every year with their families or friends, thousands of people are seriously injured during their visits. The regulations governing amusement park safety are inconsistent across the U.S., and some parks may be more dangerous for visitors than others. It is important for consumers to be aware of the risk of accidents at amusement parks and the regulation inconsistencies involved when they are choosing a destination. When victims are injured at … [Read more...]
New Device Designed to Shock Drivers When They Doze Off
New technology is under development to reduce accidents caused by drowsy driving in Tennessee and elsewhere, which claim the lives of 6,000 people in the U.S. each year. The device is worn on the wrists of drivers, and it uses biometric data to sense when they are beginning to get drowsy. If they show these signs, the device will vibrate. If the drivers then start to fall asleep, the device sends electrical pulses that shock the drivers awake so that they can get off of the road. Some of the … [Read more...]
Study Finds Poor Road Conditions Are Leading Cause Of Car Accidents
Poor road conditions create unsafe circumstances that contribute to serious and fatal collisions. Roads riddled with potholes and cracks severely damage cars, decreasing their operational efficiency and raising the risk for accidents.According to an analysis from TRIP, a national transportation research group, United States’ roadways are in such poor condition that they cost the average American driver $515 a year in extra repairs, gas, insurance, and accidents. The primary funding source … [Read more...]
(Sometimes) Seat Belts Save Souls
Seat belts don't always save lives and each year thousands of seat belts fail to protect the drivers and passengers who use them. While properly operating seat belts reduce the risk of serious injury or death by between 40-55%, it is estimated that up to 6,000 fatalities per year are the result of defective seat belts. Causes of Seat Belt Failure There are four common forms of seat belt failure, including seat belt latch failure, retractor failure, and spooling. Seat belt latch failure … [Read more...]