Category Archives: Safety Advocacy

Once Meek Agency Flexes its Muscles. . . Likely to Face Pushback Under Trump

Safety Advocacy, ,

Will we figure out how to do more than just slap the wrist of manufacturers that put consumers at risk? Including vulnerable victims of vehicle violence?

See what is happening with the Consumer Product Safety Commission:

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is trying to change its image, one civil penalty at a time.

For decades, the federal agency largely was seen as a doormat with few resources and a toothless enforcement record. But over the past few years, under its chairman, Elliot Kaye, the CPSC has dramatically increased the penalties imposed on wayward companies, including multi-million dollar settlements with firms accused of failing to make timely disclosures of product hazards. . .

“He [Kaye] is trying to make sure that companies which previously had been including civil penalty potential as part of the cost of doing business now are at least more discouraged from doing that,” said Commissioner Robert Adler, an ally of Kaye on the commission.

But with the November 8 election of Donald Trump, who has vowed to cut business regulations, the amped up penalties could come under tough scrutiny. Kaye declined an interview request, apparently to avoid drawing the ire of Republican congressional critics with oversight of the CPSC budget, and of the incoming Trump administration. In a written statement, Kaye said the penalty policy was “intended to deter behavior that can put the safety of consumers at risk” and praised “the outstanding legal work and integrity displayed by our Office of the General Counsel.”

 Once Meek Agency Flexes its Muscles, But Likely to Face Pushback Under Trump, Fair Warning, By Brian Joseph on December 15, 2016

Life & Death

On My Way to the Road to Zero Coalition Gathering in DC

Safety Advocacy,

I am encouraged by the opportunity to gather with like-minded individuals and organizations to collaborate in a quest for traveling a road toward fewer deaths and serious injuries from preventable vehicle violence.

Road to Zero New Partnership Aims to End Traffic Fatalities Within 30 Years

In memory of AnnaLeah & Mary.

Roads Safer

“Big Companies in Legal Scrapes Turn to Science-for-Hire Giant Exponent”

Safety Advocacy,

This is unbelievable. You should take a look at it.

From Asbestos to Pesticides to Pork
Big Companies in Legal Scrapes Turn to Science-for-Hire Giant Exponent http://www.fairwarning.org/2016/12/exponent/

“Opponents say Exponent’s scientists and engineers routinely bend conclusions to the needs of clients, noting that the company in the 1990s supported the tobacco industry in denying the lung cancer risk of secondhand smoke. The firm’s forte, they say, is “doubt science”—muddying the waters by attacking research showing evidence of harm, highlighting or exaggerating scientific uncertainties about health hazards, and calling for more research to delay action. The result, critics say, is a pro-industry imprint on scientific literature.”

Doubt science. . .

Is this the group responsible for the ridiculous cost/benefit analysis of the tobacco industry which Jerry mentioned in his Public Comment on the truck underride rulemaking?! Look here: public-comment-on-the-nprm-for-rear-underride-guards-on-trailers-by-jerry-karth (see page five).

11wjd2

This reminds me of a previous post about astroturfing: “Public health is about saving lives… a million at a time”. When I attempted to find the source of his quote, I stumbled upon this article by another public health expert, Dr. Arshini Daytan. I did a mental double-take when I read her quote from David Jernigan (John Hopkins) on the strategies of large corporations who actively seek to make us unhealthy. . .

Several injured in 37-vehicle pileup on I-75 in Michigan; thankfully no truck underride deaths

Safety Advocacy, Truck Safety,

Just last week, there was a pile-up of 37 vehicles in snowy conditions on I-75 in Michigan. Thankfully, there were no fatalities — plenty of totaled vehicles, I’m sure, but no fatalities.

Had there been truck underride by passenger vehicles, it could have been a whole different story.

See photos of the 37-vehicle pile-up here: Several injured in 37-vehicle pileup on I-75 near Holly Road

do-it-president-obama

Latest IIHS Status Report shows that, “Safety defects and long hours contribute to large truck crashes”

Safety Advocacy, Truck Safety, ,

The IIHS just published the results of their study of large trucks and crash risks. Topics covered include:

  • Vehicle violations raise crash risk: Having vehicle defects of any type raised crash risk.
  • Tired truckers and short-haul exemption are factors:  Although short-haul drivers must comply with federal rules on work and rest times, they don’t have to record their service hours.

Read more here: Safety defects and long hours contribute to large truck crashes, Status Report, Vol. 51, No. 10 | December 8, 2016

Unsafe Trucks

Ongoing Tired Trucker (HOS) Controversy on The Hill Proves Need for Vision Zero Rulemaking

Safety Advocacy, Truck Safety, ,

It didn’t take me long — after our family’s tragic truck crash — to grasp the futility of lobbying on The Hill as a truck safety advocate in an attempt to push for safer roads through safer regulations.

And then I learned a secret (shh). . . DOT’s safety agencies have their hands tied by an Executive Order (12866) which requires stringent cost/benefit analysis during rulemaking that too often undervalues human life & health and effectually allows industry lobbyists to sabotage and snuff out regulations which could make our roads more safe to travel on.

In case you hadn’t noticed, the DOT agencies which were meant to be our protectors — the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier SAFETY Administration) & NHTSA (National Highway Traffic SAFETY Administration) — have not proven to be consistently effective voices for our SAFETY.

That revelation — in combination with my own experience in wasted lobbying hours and my realization that others had tried unsuccessfully for decades before me to push for truck safety rules which might have saved my daughters — spurred me on to launch the Vision Zero Petition in 2015. It garnered over 20,000 signatures online in support of our requests for:

  1. A National Vision Zero Goal.
  2. A White House Vision Zero Task Force.
  3. A Vision Zero Executive Order to authorize Vision Zero Rulemaking (which would favor saving LIVES over saving PROFIT).
  4. An Office of National Traffic Safety Ombudsman (an independent but influential and vigilant voice for vulnerable victims of vehicle violence who could facilitate these goals).
  5. A nationwide network of Vision Zero/Traffic Safety community action/advocacy groups.

Although we took this Petition to DC in March 2016, we have not yet received a response to our requests. And, as I expected, the month of December 2016 has presented us with one more example of the need for this essential strategy: a resurrection of the Tired Trucker hours of service tug-of-war.

All of this, and more — most especially my daughters’ truck crash deaths which might have been prevented had all of this nonsense been addressed appropriately — has led to my efforts to work with others to organize a successful Truck Underride Roundtable and an upcoming Tired Trucker Roundtable.

And I really do keep hoping that a national traffic safety advocate will be appointed and Vision Zero Rulemaking will become a thing. . .

1a85et

“Panel explores how humans, robot cars will interact”

Safety Advocacy, ,

Panel explores how humans, robot cars will interact
Melissa Nann Burke, Detroit News Washington Bureau 7:29 p.m. EST December 6, 2016

“At a Capitol Hill roundtable Tuesday, industry reps and lawmakers grappled with potential safety issues concerning how human drivers will interact with emerging autonomous technologies on roadways.

“The discussion, organized by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, drew a standing-room-only crowd on a rainy day in Washington. . .

“Chris Spear, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, said Congress could help by promoting cooperation and coordination among federal agencies with a role in overseeing various parts of the autonomous vehicle revolution — from NHTSA to the Federal Communications Commission, to the Environmental Protection Agency, to the Departments of Homeland Security and Agriculture.”

That sounds a lot like my suggestions for a national Vision Zero strategy, including a National Vision Zero Goal, a White House Vision Zero Task Force, Vision Zero Rulemaking, and a National Traffic Safety Ombudsman to oversee/coordinate/facilitate all of it!

TSO Petition 026

 

“We have a law in Texas you don’t have to wear a helmet”

Safety Advocacy

“We have a law in Texas you don’t have to wear your [motorcycle] helmet, ’cause we don’t care about our stupid people.” Mark Lowry

Why on earth don’t we establish National Traffic Safety Standards & require them to be adopted by States?

11wjd2

Innovative solution to modifying cell phone use while driving – from a family who knows dangers

Safety Advocacy,

After Josh and his sister survived a crash due to a texting driver, he decided to do something about the problem of distracted driving due to cell phone use.

“This honour system where we expect you to protect yourself, put your phone away while driving, it doesn’t work,” said Josh, now 26. “Technology created the problem and technology is the only way to solve the problem.”

Today, Josh and his father have a company called Keeping Roads Safe, which makes a product called DriveCare. The device prevents drivers’ mobile phones from displaying calls, texts and social media notifications while their vehicles are turned on, sending an automatic reply to incoming text messages informing the sender the recipient is driving and unable to respond.

– See more at: https://keepingroadssafe.ca/fatal-distraction-national-post/#sthash.NiEuBsxR.dpuf

Both AndIrreversible tragedies

“Power of Presidents to Protect People” (Legal Reader)

Safety Advocacy,

Louis Lombardo, respected auto safety researcher, advocate, and the publisher of Care For Crash Victims Reports, has written an insightful article for the Legal Reader:

Power of Presidents to Protect People, December 6, 2016

Lombardo notes that, “The history of Presidents using powers to protect people has resulted in millions of lives saved.”

He also provides insight into presidential, “Milestones in the history of protecting people – and in failing to protect people.” For example, “By 2008, 3.4 million Americans had lost their lives to vehicle violence. President Obama will be sadly remembered for weak oversight of the auto industry resulting in many needless deaths and injuries.”

What will the next four years look like, I wonder?

Next 4 years

USA Crash Death Clock

One way that our president could use his power to protect people would be by taking the initiative to move our country toward zero crash deaths & serious injuries through these actions:

  1. Set a National Vision Zero Goal.
  2. Establish a White House Vision Zero/Traffic Safety Task Force.
  3. Sign an Executive Order authorizing Vision Zero Rulemaking.
  4. Establish an independent Office of National Traffic Safety Ombudsman/Advocate.