While Feds Mull Speed Limits, Legislators Call for Safer Seats

As the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is considering a mandate that would limit big trucks to a nationwide speed limit, lawmakers are demanding immediate action on unsafe car seats. The two might seem unrelated, but an ongoing investigation by CBS found that the seats in passenger vehicles can fail in rear-end crashes and cause serious injury or death.

On November 23, two senators and a representative sent a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration demanding, “immediate action to remedy this significant seating system deficiency.” The facts support the call for legislation; the investigation discovered that automakers and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have long been aware of a problem. When asked about the issue, automakers responded that all seats meet or exceed the federal standards laid out in 1967, a strength test that “even a banquet chair could pass” according to CBS.

We’ve written about the FMCSA’s speed limit mandate recently, and the numbers there also support a change in the current legislation. The proposed ruled is based on a US Department of Transportation study that found that the crash rate for motor carriers that do not use speed limiters is more than three times as high as the crash rate for those that do use the devices, according to CCJ News.

What this means for you

Higher speeds mean longer stopping times for tractor-trailers, and longer stopping times mean a higher risk of rear-ending a vehicle in traffic. When big rigs rear-end passenger vehicles, the massive difference in size can have devastating consequences. Passenger vehicles are already at a disadvantage without the risk that seats will buckle because of an outdated safety standard. The NHTSA is supposed to protect the American public, not the interests of automakers concerned with the bottom line.

The true bottom line is that, due to an oversight spanning almost 50 years, the safety systems designed to protect your family when they need it most has a fatal flaw. If you or any of your loved ones were injured when a safety system failed to protect you in a crash, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The experienced South Carolina big rig accident attorneys at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips LLC can evaluate your case and help get you the compensation you deserve. Call 803-327-7800 or contact us today for a free consultation.