Monthly Archives: January 2016

Help for truckers: Overnight Truck Parking App

Here is another truck parking solution: http://roadbreakers.com/

WE HAVE ONE GOAL: HELP YOU FIND OVERNIGHT TRUCK (AND RV) PARKING NEAR & FAR. AND MAKE IT FUN.

 iOS & Android. No internet required to find parking. Data stored locally on your device but capable of automatic live update over the network. Post comments about specific overnight truck parking locations. Help out by submitting new overnight truck parking locations. Report problems with a specific parking location. Map view & list view of nearby parking locations. Feel like chatting? Post & view user comments within the app!

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More areas for long-haul trucks to park could help prevent some crashes

I have previously written about the need for parking for long-haul trucks.  https://annaleahmary.com/tag/truck-parking/

I read these recommendations about this need today:  http://www.underridenetwork.org/safe-and-legal-truck-and-car-parking-in-the-u-s/

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Deadly Yet Preventable? Why Front Underride or Front Underrun is Important

We included a request to address front underride in our AnnaLeah and Mary Stand Up For Truck Safety Petition. The response was that they would issue a separate decision on it at a future time:

Grant Of Petition For Rulemaking.
SUMMARY
By initiating rulemaking to consider enhancing related safety standards, this notice grants the part of the petition for rulemaking submitted by Ms. Marianne Karth and the Truck Safety Coalition (Petitioners) requesting that the agency improve the safety of rear impact (underride) guards on trailers and single unit trucks. Based on the petition, available information, and the agency’s analysis in progress, NHTSA has decided that the Petitioners’ request related to rear impact guards merits further consideration. Therefore, the agency grants the Petitioners’ request to initiate rulemaking on rear impact guards. NHTSA is planning on issuing two separate notices—an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking pertaining to rear impact guards and other safety strategies for single unit trucks, and a notice of proposed rulemaking focusing on rear impact guards on trailers and semitrailers. NHTSA is still evaluating the Petitioners’ request to improve side guards and front override guards and will issue a separate decision on those aspects of the petition at a later date.

https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/07/10/2014-16018/federal-motor-vehicle-safety-standards-rear-impact-guards-rear-impact-protection

Steve Hadley, Underride Network, has posted on the front underride issue. He says that,

“Front low-speed crashes with VRU (Vulnerable Road Users) are quite survivable with proper design.”

Read more about this issue here: http://www.underridenetwork.org/why-front-underride-or-underrun-is-important/

Front underride 002

Why Front Underride or Front Underrun is Important (Deadly yet preventable?)

We included a request to address front underride in our AnnaLeah and Mary Stand Up For Truck Safety Petition. The response was that they would issue a separate decision on it at a future time:

Grant Of Petition For Rulemaking.
SUMMARY
By initiating rulemaking to consider enhancing related safety standards, this notice grants the part of the petition for rulemaking submitted by Ms. Marianne Karth and the Truck Safety Coalition (Petitioners) requesting that the agency improve the safety of rear impact (underride) guards on trailers and single unit trucks. Based on the petition, available information, and the agency’s analysis in progress, NHTSA has decided that the Petitioners’ request related to rear impact guards merits further consideration. Therefore, the agency grants the Petitioners’ request to initiate rulemaking on rear impact guards. NHTSA is planning on issuing two separate notices—an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking pertaining to rear impact guards and other safety strategies for single unit trucks, and a notice of proposed rulemaking focusing on rear impact guards on trailers and semitrailers. NHTSA is still evaluating the Petitioners’ request to improve side guards and front override guards and will issue a separate decision on those aspects of the petition at a later date.

https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/07/10/2014-16018/federal-motor-vehicle-safety-standards-rear-impact-guards-rear-impact-protection

Steve Hadley, Underride Network, has posted on this issue. He says that,

“Front low-speed crashes with VRU (Vulnerable Road Users) are quite survivable with proper design.”

Read more about this issue here: http://www.underridenetwork.org/why-front-underride-or-underrun-is-important/

Front underride 002

 

It’s exhausting trying to move a mountain.

Did another Skype interview today with a TV reporter who had done an investigation of the underride problem in 2012. Almost 4 years ago and not much has changed since then. And it was before our crash. And his was just one of many broadcasts which have pointed out that something needs to be done about the underride problem!

Is it too much to understand that this neglect of a sorely-needed safety measure which has led to countless unnecessary deaths is very appalling, distressing, and frustrating?

I am glad for the progress being made in rulemaking, but my heart grieves for all the lost lives and the broken-hearted families who have to continue dealing with the senselessness of it all. It just doesn’t go away.

So, I shouldn’t be surprised that it was exhausting trying to move a mountain today and that the loss of thousands and the heartache of countless more is weighing me down.

IMG_4467The Truck Safety game 001 Number Line Rulemaking MethodIMG_20140508_114515_341

MV-TRAFFIC-FATALITIES(1899-2009)

Truck Crash Fatality Chart

The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD.

(Psalm 27 & 29)

Actions here & there throughout the U.S. chipping away at causes of traffic deaths

As far as I’m concerned,  decisions and actions to reduce crash fatalities are too often too little too late. So, while I’m thankful for the good things that are happening, as a mom of 2 girls who died too young, I think that there are too many delays and not enough priority assigned to Vision Zero activities.

Maybe if everyone working on these things had lost someone close to them (oh, I hope not), then they would be as tenacious and impatient as me.

And after reading some safety news today, I was thinking that perhaps things would also move faster if there were more opportunities for organizations throughout the country (and internationally) to share ideas so that no one would have to re-invent the wheel.

Wouldn’t that help things move along faster?

Some things I read today:

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“Just sayin’,” Mary might have said.

Sign our Vision Zero Petition: https://www.change.org/p/obama-adopt-a-vision-zero-goal-and-sign-an-executive-order-to-save-lives-not-dollars

Va. Tech Awarded Sleeper Study; Could this help to overcome truck driver fatigue?

Interesting and hopeful news for the study of truckers sleep needs. Could provide a breakthrough with making Hours of Service rules that help to overcome the problem of driver fatigue.
“Virginia Tech, along with subcontractors from Washington State University and SmartDrive, won a $2.5 million contract from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to study a flexible hours-of-service safety provision that will allow long-haul truck drivers to split their required sleeper berth time into shorter periods. – See more at: http://www.gobytrucknews.com/va-tech-awarded-sleeper-study/123#sthash.mubY6d30.dpuf
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Obama: “We can’t accept this carnage” Let’s apply that sentiment toward preventable highway carnage.

I am counting on President Obama’s statements related to gun violence also being applied toward the ongoing public health problem of traffic fatalities (or more clearly, people being killed on the road).

First I read Obama’s statement, “If there’s even one thing we can do, if there’s just one life we can save—we’ve got an obligation to try.” And now I hear that he is saying, “We can’t accept this carnage. . .”

How about the highway carnage? “One of America’s more egregious public health afflictions, deaths and injuries in car crashes, is being massively ignored.” – See more at: http://www.fairwarning.org/2012/09/a-strange-indifference-to-highway-carnage/#sthash.AI0IcziI.dpuf

That article also informs us, “Despite more than 30,000 deaths and more than 2.2 million crash injuries per year, highway safety has largely fallen off the political radar screen.  Since 1965, when President Lyndon Johnson publicly confronted a hostile auto industry by demanding, and getting, new laws governing the safety of automobiles, more than two million Americans have died of crash injuries. Since then no president has taken a forceful public stand in favor of strong government action to counter the death toll.

I’d say it’s time to take a stand, President Obama. Set a national Vision Zero goal and sign a Vision Zero Executive Order.

https://www.change.org/p/obama-adopt-a-vision-zero-goal-and-sign-an-executive-order-to-save-lives-not-dollars

Rebekah photo of crash

Our story:

Toward Zero Crash Deaths “…if there’s just one life we can save—we’ve got an obligation to try.” @BarackObama

Across the nation, there are numerous individuals and organizations calling and working for Vision Zero goals and actions. What is the point? There are tens of thousands of people dying unnatural and preventable deaths each year due to crashes on our roads.

We are working tirelessly to call for President Obama and DOT Secretary Foxx to set a National Vision Zero goal and to change the traffic safety rulemaking  policies so that every life possible will be saved.

At present, we have two Vision Zero petitions which we will be delivering to Washington, DC, as soon as we can arrange for it:

  1. One directed specifically to President Obama asking him to set a National Vision Zero Goal and to sign a Vision Zero Executive Order, which will–among other things–give DOT the authority to make rules which will save more lives.   https://www.change.org/p/obama-adopt-a-vision-zero-goal-and-sign-an-executive-order-to-save-lives-not-dollars
  2. One directed to Secretary Foxx  (and OIRA/OMB) asking him to change rulemaking policy to move away from a cost/benefit model and adopt a more humanistic, rational Vision Zero safety strategy model which will impact all DOT safety regulations (with immediate impact on truck underride rulemaking).  http://www.thepetitionsite.com/417/742/234/save-lives-not-dollars-urge-dot-to-adopt-vision-zero-policy/

Please sign both of the above petitions now and spread the word that together we can save lives!

Petition screenshot 001

 

Truck Underride Kills: https://www.fortrucksafety.com/

Insightful & passionate comments on our #VisionZero Petition

You can be a part of calling on President Obama to take decisive action to move our country Toward Zero Deaths in 2016. Sign & share our petition:

https://www.change.org/p/urge-obama-adopt-a-vision-zero-goal-and-sign-an-executive-order-to-save-lives-not-dollars

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Read these comments on our Vision Zero Petition from survivors, bereaved families, lawyers, truck drivers,  engineers, and safety advocates:

Vision zero in road safety is an imperative public health goal, and one that is now fully realistic to embark upon.

Neil Arason, Victoria, Canada
4 days ago

I’m signing because as a Texan, my state has shamefully averaged 3,500 annual road deaths in the past 20 years. Based on historical data, I seriously doubt the Texas state legislature or state DOT has the skill or the desire to improve in the area of fatality reduction on Texas roads. For the safety of all road-users, the USA needs the help of a national Vision Zero strategy.

Lance Hamm, Kingsville, TX
18 hours ago

I am signing this petition as a widow and now single mother of three children because a tired or distracted truck driver killed my husband while he was inspecting a bridge repair in his closed-off work zone. The pain of losing a loved one to these preventable crashes is beyond words. Losing a father at such a young age will leave emotional scars for decades, and our society doesn’t fully understand —or offer appropriate resources for coping.

Amy Fletcher, Perrysburg, OH
11 minutes ago

I am signing in honor of my late wife Tamara Mills-Hadley whom lost her life because a phoney underride guard law was passed that was not meant to save any lives, instead it just legalized the guards already on the road in order to save money and garner campaign donations. We also lost a family friend to unsafe trucks. No more!

Stephen Hadley, Washougal, WA
21 hours ago

I’m signing because no one should have to suffer a sudden, unexpected loss of a loved one due to a preventable crash.

Andrew Young, North Ridgeville, OH
2 days ago

WE NEED A VISION ZERO GOAL AND SIGNS…NOW TO SAVE LIVES!!!

DONNA LAGOMARSINO, Wilmington, MA
3 days ago

I’m signing because the loss of one human life in the pursuit of profit is wrong! Safety first!

Hershel Hartford, Fayetteville, AR
3 days ago

I’m signing because tragedies like this one can be avoided.

Aaron Kiefer, Morrisville, NC
3 days ago

I’m signing for Susan Slattery!

Camille Dobson, LUTHERVILLE, MD
4 days ago

Because business shoots for zero defects. Because my wife is dead and two sons seriously injured, one permanently, when an overworked trucker fell asleep at the wheel.

Ed Slattery, Lutherville-Timonium, MD
4 days ago