Tennessee Trucking Economy Underscores Importance of Safety on the Roads

Government agencies have been partnering together to make Tennessee roads safer for all motorists — and not a moment too soon. Aside from the mild increase of fatalities on the roads involving large trucks from 2011 to 2012, the numbers more than doubled during the first month and a half of 2013, as compared to this time last year. In January and part of February 2012, large trucks were involved in six traffic fatalities; yet this year during the same time frame, 15 fatalities on the roads involved large trucks.

Partly because of their size, trucking accidents can cause extensive damages and injuries, including fatalities. Injured parties may have claims against the driver of the truck, the owner of the trucking company, and a host of other third parties. If you or someone you know has been involved in a trucking accident, you are encouraged to contact an experienced Nashville personal injury attorney to help protect your rights.

Trucking is a large part of the Tennessee economy. The Tennessee Trucking Association provides statistical information about the industry, as prepared by the American Transportation Research Institute. The report reveals that in 2011, the trucking industry accounted for approximately 183,550 Tennessee jobs or, to put it another way, one out of every 12 jobs in the State. More than $7.5 billion in trucking industry wages was paid in 2011. Furthermore, there were over 8,820 trucking companies in Tennessee in 2012. According to the data, these are small, locally owned businesses. This extensive trucking industry is reported to serve over 91% of Tennessee communities.

With such a high percentage of workers in the trucking industry, it is no surprise that just last year, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security teamed up with assorted state and local agencies to institute “Operation Safe Highways,” a statewide safety awareness and enforcement exercise to help make Tennessee safer for all motorists.

As part of this partnered approach, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) and the Office of Homeland Security organized an effort to inspect commercial vehicles travelling to and throughout Tennessee. In addition to the routine inspection of vehicles, the agencies are looking for other safety violations, such as suspected human or drug trafficking and other Illegal conduct, hauling dangerous materials, and seatbelt violations.

According to a report about Operation Safe Highways, it is anticipated that the trucking industry will play a big part in keeping roads safer. This effort was undertaken partly to make trucking professionals aware of the signs of suspicious behavior so that drivers can report any unusual activity. Because of their vantage point of driving on the roads, truck drivers are considered a unique and integral part of the operation to make the roads in Tennessee safer.

The Tennessee Trucking Association also provides information on the importance of driver safety. Their organization seeks methods to improve driver training, invests in advanced safety technologies and engages in industry safety efforts at all levels: local, state and national.

The Law Office of David S. Hagy, PLC, is experienced in handling truck accident injury cases in a way that maximizes the recovery for our clients. If you would like to discuss a trucking accident injury case, please contact us online or call us at (615) 975-7882 for a free consultation.

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