Recently, U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced bipartisan legislation to fellow members of the senate. Their Drug Free Commercial Driver Act of 2015 hopes to improve highway safety by authorizing the U.S. Department of Transportation to accept hair testing as an alternative to urinalysis, which is the current method of alcohol and drug testing.
A report covering the years 2006 through 2014 by J.B. Hunt Transport found that 3,845 drivers were not detected for drugs and alcohol using urinalysis, but were caught on the hair test.
If the test is this powerful and accurate, then it may help prevent the large number of commercial motor vehicle accidents that occur in Florida each year.
How Many Commercial Truck Accidents Happen in Florida?
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that over 32,000 commercial truck accidents occur annually in its most recent study, which ended with 2013 accidents. The statistics also show an increase of these catastrophic crashes.
Fatalities were involved in at least 237 of the crashes in the 2013 report, in addition to over 10,000 injuries.
Find an Attorney Experienced in Truck Accident Lawsuits
Due to the sheer size and weight of semi-trucks, the accidents involving them will often include severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries or worse. As such, the financial and psychological costs of being a survivor of a serious truck accident can be tremendous for the victim and his or her entire family. An experienced truck accident attorney can help you and your family fight for justice against those at fault for your tragic situation.
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