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BIG RIGS, LITTLE OVERSIGHT:
A SPECIAL REPORT THE DANGER: State's accident,
death rates among highest in the nation He and other workers heard the tires squeal while they were trying to remove a tree from a power line off Alabama 89 in Wilcox County. When they looked up, the big truck loaded with logs had left the road and was barreling toward them.
Parking unsafe trucks Is there any wonder truckers view Alabama as "the hammer state," where they can put the hammer down—in another word, speed—and make up time? And is there any wonder the state ranks ahead of all other Southern states and near the top of the nation in truck accidents per miles traveled and highway deaths in truck accidents? There is a correlation between lax enforcement and tragedy on the highways, and Alabamians pay the price, as News staff writers Ginny MacDonald and Brett J. Blackledge reported Sunday. http://www.bhamnews.com/archives/ (must register to access)
Safety official fights for
laws, without success Birmingham News (AL)—For two years, Alabama Department of Public Safety Capt. Harry Kearley has asked state legislators to strengthen laws on truck inspections. For two years, he's walked away empty-handed. Kearley, who heads the department's truck inspection unit, sought legislation this year requiring truck companies that operate only in the state to register their rigs for a special database. The trucks - those hauling things like logs, concrete or construction trash in the state - aren't required to register with federal transportation officials as are the trucks, often bigger rigs, that operate regionally and nationally. Once they are registered, unsafe trucks can be tracked to the company listed with the Alabama Department of Revenue. Revenue officials then could revoke the company's vehicle registrations if multiple safety problems are found with its trucks. http://www.bhamnews.com/archives/ (must register to access)
Victim Of Fatal Morning Crash
Identified: 1 Killed, 2 Injured In Accident CHICAGO, IL—Officials have identified the victim of a Tuesday crash that tied up traffic during the morning commute as Juan Barrera, 23, of Chicago. Police said the car was wedged against the median wall after it was hit by a 18-wheeler. Two others were also injured in the accident. It happened at about 5:15 a.m. on the northbound Edens Expressway (Interstate Highway 94) near Touhy Avenue in Lincolnwood, according to the Illinois State Police. http://www.nbc5.com/automotive/4219841/detail.html?z=dp&dpswid=2265994&dppid=65192
Two killed as truck explodes
in morning crash on I-15 LAS VEGAS, NV—A tractor-trailer driver and his passenger were killed early this morning after their truck struck a highway median and burst into flames, prompting the 6 1/2-hour closure of a section of Interstate 15, the Nevada Highway Patrol said. The crash this morning was the second tractor-trailer crash near the on-ramp at I-15 and Washington Avenue in a little more than a week. http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/lv-other/2005/feb/21/518326385.html
Police still blame SUV
MOBILE, AL—After a lawsuit raised questions about the speed of a cattle truck that overturned Dec. 2 just outside the George Wallace Tunnel, Mobile police said this past week that they have not determined how fast the truck was traveling, but they do still believe physical evidence showed the other driver was at fault. The accident killed the driver of the sport-utility vehicle that was crushed under the cattle truck. A passenger in the SUV was injured. http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/110898107825280.xml
Officials Look For Ways To
Increase Truck Safety In Alabama BIRMINGHAM, AL—A tanker truck fire hot enough to destroy a bridge in Birmingham's Malfunction Junction and an overturned cattle truck in Mobile were among the accidents scrutinized Monday by officials from the public and private sectors. State Transportation Director Joe McInnes met with representatives from the trucking industry and government agencies to discuss ideas to improve traffic safety. "We had a fatality in Mobile. We've been fortunate that these scenes in Birmingham have not had fatalities. We want to stop that before something dreadful happens," said McInnes. The committee came up with both long-term and short-term solutions to prevent future accidents. McInnes and the participating representatives agreed Alabama needs more state troopers to curb speeding and increase truck inspections that can catch unsecured loads. http://www.nbc13.com/news/4012066/detail.html
Bridge destroyed BIRMINGHAM, AL—A truck carrying 9,000 gallons of fuel crashed at 6:57 a.m. Thursday, exploding on Alabama's busiest interstate interchange, warping and destroying a bridge and possibly forcing detours for up to four months. The driver survived unhurt. Repair work closed the bridge on Interstate 20/59 North at Interstate 65 while up to $4 million in repairs are made. Initial work to demolish the bridge will keep the other lanes of I-20/59 South beneath the bridge closed through the weekend. http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/109843667176530.xml
An 18-wheeler that lost its
cargo, a 45,000-pound industrial drive shaft , and tore two holes
in the I-65 bridge in Hoover BIRMINGHAM, AL—The Citgo station at Finley Boulevard and I-65 isn't usually busy in the middle of a workday. But lately, people have been flocking to this convenience store at all hours to get more than just a fill-up or fountain drink. [I-65 bridge burned and buckled] Roy Washburn of Decatur is one of those who walked into the station to ask for directions around a major detour. The I-65 South overpass was closed earlier this month after a fatal tanker truck explosion left it impassible. |
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