I-75 Accident Showcases the Dangers of Everyday Truck Traffic

The driver leaned to reach a bottle of water. That’s it. His tractor-trailer veered left, he over-corrected to the right, and seconds later $6 million worth of pyrotechnics equipment was scattered alongside Interstate 75 near Lima, Ohio.

That accident, which delayed by one day a Kiss and Motley Crue concert in Michigan earlier this month, underscores the delicate nature of highway transportation, particularly concerning tractor-trailers that weigh thousands of pounds and can jackknife following even the smallest miscue. The truck driver of that accident was hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries, and thankfully no other passenger vehicles were involved.

But too often, one simple mistake - like a truck driver reaching for a bottle of water - initiates a deadly chain of events.

When I talk to people about the serious nature of trucking industry safety regulations, and when I push for increased safety measures such as mandating electronic on-board recorders, these are the stories that come to mind. I think of innocent motorists who suffer life-altering injuries following a crash with a driver who exceeded his hours-of-service limit. I think of family members who are left to mourn the loss of a loved one following a crash with a truck driver who was high on crystal meth.

And I'm thankful for every ending that leaves nobody more upset than a few thousand concert-goers who had to wait a day to see Kiss and Motley Crue. For those about to rock, we salute you, and wish you safe highway travels.

I-75 Accident Showcases the Dangers of Everyday Truck Traffic

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Involved in a Crash?

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Involved in a Crash?