October 17th, 2008 Roberts & Roberts
In 2008, 413,000 large trucks (gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 pounds) were involved in traffic crashes in the United States;4,584 were involved in fatal crashes. A total of 4,808 people died (12% of all the traffic fatalities reported in 2007) and an additional 101,000 were injured in those crashes.Â
In 2006, large trucks accounted for 4 percent of all registered vehicles and 7 percent of total vehicle miles traveled. In 2007, large trucks accounted for 8 percent of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes and 4 percent of all vehicles involved in injury and property-damage-only crashes.
One out of nine traffic fatalities in 2007 resulted from a collision involving a large truck.
Of the fatalities that resulted from crashes involving large trucks, 75 percent were occupants of another vehicle, 8 percent were non-occupants, and 23 percent were occupants of a large truck.
Large trucks were much more likely to be involved in fatal multiple-vehicle crash - as opposed to a fatal single-vehicle crash- than were passenger vehicles (82% of all large trucks involved in fatal crashes, compared with 59% of all passenger vehicles).
In a 28 percent of the two-vehicle fatal crashes involving a large truck and another type of vehicle, both vehicles were impacted in the front. The truck was struck in the rear 3.2 times as often as the other vehicle (19% and 6%, respectively).
In half of the two-vehicle fatal crashes involving a large truck and another type of vehicle, both vehicles were proceeding straight at the time of the crash. In 11 percent of the crashes, the other vehicle was negotiating a curve. In 7 percent, either the truck or the other vehicle was stopped or parked in a traffic lane (5% and 2%, respectively).
Most of the fatal crashed involving large trucks occurred in rural areas (62%), during the daytime (66%), and on weekdays (78%). During the week, 74 percent of the crashes occurred during the daytime (6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.). On weekends, 62 percent occurred at night (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m).
The percentage of large-truck drivers involved in fatal crashes who had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter (g/dl) or higher was 1 percent in 2007. For drivers of other types of vehicles involved in fatal crashed in 2007, the percentages of drivers with BAC levels .08g/dl or higher were 23 percent for passenger cars, 23 percent for light trucks, and 27 percent for motorcycles.
Driver of large trucks were less likely to have a previous license suspension or revocation than were passenger car drivers (8% and 15%, respectively).
Nearly one-fourth (24%) of all large-truck drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2007 had at least one prior speeding conviction, compared to 19 percent of passenger car drivers involved in fatal crashes.-National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Posted in Transportation Safety, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
October 17th, 2008 Roberts & Roberts
Bus safety experts examine Texas rollover crash
Loopholes in laws made it possible for a Mexican motorcoach to operate in the United States despite not meeting U.S. safety standards, National Transportation Safety Board member Debbie Hersman said during a recent public hearing.Â
Hersman chaired the hearing on Oct. 7-8 to examine the facts and circumstances surrounding a motorcoach rollover crash that occurred Jan. 2 on U.S. Route 59 near Victoria, TX.
One passenger was fatally injured and 46 passengers and the driver sustained injuries in the crash. The motorcoach, which entered the United States from Mexico and was being operated by a Houston-based charter bus company, overturned and struck a guardrail. It rolled over onto its right side and came to rest blocking all lanes of Highway 77. A subsequent collision occurred when a pickup truck collided with the motorcoach after it had come to rest.
Preliminary investigation findings show the operator of the bus registered it in two different states using false or storefront addresses and employed a third party to complete the paperwork. “It appears that the complicated steps the operator took to register the bus were designed to take advantage of loopholes in the registration process that would allow him to obtain a state license plate for a bus that did not meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards,” Hersman said.-National Safety Council
Posted in Transportation Safety | No Comments »
October 17th, 2008 Roberts & Roberts
| Groups Challenging Balanced Billing Rules |
 |
| Hospital and physician groups are protesting new California rules that prohibit the billing of patients for emergency room services not covered by insurance. Proponents of the new rules contend that reforms of so-called balanced billing practices are necessary to protect patients from unjust charges. In a related case, the California Supreme Court is scheduled to decide a dispute between the state Department of Managed Health Care and Prime Healthcare Services Inc. over the providers’ balance billing practices.  Lisa Girion, LA Times  10/15/2008 |
| Read Article: LA Times    |
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
October 17th, 2008 Roberts & Roberts
| Study |
 |
|
| Study: Contaminants Found in Bottled Water |
|
| Leading brands of bottled water contain many contaminants commonly found in tap water, according to research by environmental advocates. Researchers say they discovered contaminants ranging from bacteria to acetaminophen to the radioactive element strontium in their tests on 10 major bottled water brands. While all bottled waters tested passed federal drinking water standards, two brands, Sam’s Choice sold by Wal-Mart and Acadia of Giant Food, failed to meet standards for California.  AP, LA Times  10/16/2008 |
| Read Article: LA Times    |
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
October 17th, 2008 Roberts & Roberts
| New Report Rates Hospital Quality |
|
| A new Web-based report allows patients to check the healthcare quality of their local hospital and other facilities throughout the nation. Under the ranking system, produced by Colorado-based HealthGrades, hospitals receive between one and five stars based on analyses of Medicare claims data. According to the company, patients are 70 percent less likely to die while receiving treatment in a five-star hospital than in a one-star hospital.  Judith Graham, Chicago Tribune  10/16/2008 |
| Read Article: Chicago Tribune  |
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
