The driver of a pick-up in South Louisiana was killed after the driver of an 18-wheeler fell asleep at the wheel, crossed the center line and crashed head-on into the pick-up truck. The driver of the pick-up was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident occurred at 9 o’clock in the morning in Houma, Louisiana. The 18-wheeler driver fell asleep and his big rig drifted across the center line into on-coming traffic. The pick-up driver took evasive action, tried to swerve off the road to avoid the 18-wheeler, but was struck head-on on the road’s shoulder.
Tired, fatigued and sleepy 18-wheeler drivers are being looked at by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on behalf of the Department of Transportation. Current rules allow a truck driver to work 14 hours a day. Federal regulators have started hearings on potential plans to reduce the on-duty and drive time of a truck driver. Safety advocates hope that these hearings result in a reduction of the hours-of-service a truck driver can work so he can receive adequate rest and not endanger the motoring public i.e. your family, by not driving tired and fatigued. Proper and adequate rest for a commercial motor vehicle driver is essential considering the 80,000 pound big rigs they operate. This tragic collision can be prevented with adequate rest.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
