TRUCKING STANDARDS TOO LENIENT
The recent data on child safety seats unearthed by the Chicago Tribune made me question what other equipment is out on the roadway that is just meeting the minimum standards of safety. Trucks, among other vehicles, definitely fit the bill. The federal safety standards on trucks are lenient and do not feature the most up-to-date technology and safety features. In litigation, truck manufacturers often argue that their vehicles are safe because they meet the minimum standards set by the government. The could not be further from the truth. Just because the bar has been set low does not mean that something is safe.
For example, we are all familiar with the "ICC bar," which is the device attached to the back of tractor-trailers that is intended to prevent the deaths and injuries that occur when a car collides with the rear of a tractor-trailer. Many truck safety groups have advocated for the use of state-of-the-art rear impact guards on trucks to prevent more people from getting hurt. However, the government standard remains minimal.
