Georgia Personal Injury Law Blog : Atlanta Georgia Injury Lawyer & Attorney : Jason R. Schultz Law Firm : Wrongful Death, Malpractice, Car Accidents : Georgia

Political gridlock in the nation’s capital has led to thousands of Department of Transportation employees being furloughed without pay, and has cut off essential funding to state highway and auto safety programs. As an accident lawyer in Atlanta, I am very concerned at how long this impasse will continue, and how badly it will affect motorist and trucking safety in Georgia.

On Sunday, the DOT issued a statement saying that it would be furloughing up to 2000 workers belonging to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The stalemate also affects highway funds that the federal administration provides to states to conduct safety programs.

The deadlock began when Kentucky Sen. Jim Bunning blocked a piece of legislation that would've extended highway programs and unemployment benefits to transportation workers. It is likely that this deadlock will soon be resolved, but states around the country are already sending out distress signals about their fears over slashed highway safety funds. According to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, if the funding cuts go on past the middle of this week, it will impact trucking safety. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance is comprised of police officers who are specialized in trucking enforcement. This sub agency is funded in part by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. With funding now hanging in a state of limbo, several states will be impacted adversely. Smaller states will bear the brunt of the blocked federal funding.

Atlanta accident lawyers will also be concerned about motorcycle safety programs, drunk driving crash prevention measures and efforts against distracted driving, which will now be impacted by the funding standoff.

It's unfortunate that political bickering is threatening the safety of ordinary Americans.  It is my hope that this crisis is resolved soon and funding for essential safety programs is resumed quickly.

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A series of bus accidents in recent months in Georgia and around the country have focused attention on our antiquated bus safety laws, including the failure to mandate seatbelts on buses, and have better scrutiny of motor coach companies.

As an Atlanta bus accident lawyer, I have been particularly troubled by the fact that NTSB recommendations to the FMCSA to mandate seatbelts on buses have been ignored for several years. That’s why it is very encouraging to read about the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and its Motor Coach Safety Action Plan that aims to prevent accidents and minimize injuries.   The plan includes measures that will

• Require on-board recorders that will prevent motor coach drivers from operating their vehicles for longer than stipulated by federal laws. This will minimize the number of bus crashes that are caused by driver fatigue, like the one involving a casino bus in California that killed 11 people last year.
• Ban drivers from text messaging while at the wheel, and place restrictions on the use of cell phones while driving. Studies have shown that the risk of accidents increases by 23 percent when a driver is texting at the wheel.
• Make it harder for shady bus operators to be able to quickly rename companies and continue operations, when they are forced to shut down after violations have been found. Such unscrupulous companies find it easy to cover their tracks after an accident, making it hard for investigators to find out who owns the bus.
• Require seatbelts on buses.
• Develop stronger roof crush and collapse standards to prevent the kind of serious injuries that often occur when the roof of the bus disintegrates in a collision.

The Department of Transportation has already indicated its intention of adopting these measures. Seatbelt use may have prevented the kind of serious injuries and fatalities that occurred in the Bluffton University bus accident in Atlanta in 2007, which killed 7 occupants. The NTSB recommended seatbelts, and their use, on buses several decades ago, but the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has failed to act on these recommendations.

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This blog fits well with a previous post on how to find the right lawyer.  The qualities listed below would be helpful in your search for anyone including a spouse, electrician, builder, accountant, doctor or dentist.  I came across this email from All Pro Dad through www.familyfirst.net.

Dr. William Cohen in his book, The Stuff of Heroes, writes that the eight universal laws of leadership are:

1. Maintain absolute integrity.

2. Know your stuff.

3. Declare your expectations.

4. Show uncommon commitment.

5. Expect positive results.

6. Take care of your people.

7. Put duty before self.

8. Get out in front.

Sounds like a great stategy for life.  I hope that many, if not all, of our politicians read this book.
   

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