Two truckers – including an Amazon truck driver — were hospitalized Tuesday morning after one of their 18-wheelers triggered a three-vehicle accident in Grimes County, Texas.
Northbound 18-Wheeler Drifted into Southbound Lanes of 90
The July 14th crash occurred shortly after 8:30 a.m. as one 18-wheeler was heading north on Texas State Highway 90 between Anderson and Navasota. For reasons that remain unclear, that rig drifted into the southbound lanes and sideswiped a second 18-wheeler traveling south.
The second 18-wheeler then collided with a Ford pickup truck.
While one of the rigs bore markings for Amazon Prime, authorities have not indicated which 18-wheeler set off the accident.
Truckers Suffered Non-Life-Threatening Injuries
Both truckers suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Paramedics transferred one of the drivers to Baylor Scott & White Hospital in College Station, while the other was taken to CHI St. Joseph Regional Health Hospital in Bryan.
The driver of the Ford pickup was treated at the scene and released.
So far, the Texas Department of Public Safety has not identified any of the drivers involved in the crash.
Fatigue Possible Factor in Grimes County 18-Wheeler Accident
Tuesday’s 18-wheeler crash remains under investigation. However, Texas State Troopers are reportedly working to determine if driver fatigue might have contributed to the accident.
Studies suggest that drowsy driving increases the likelihood of a crash by 123%, and it’s estimated that driver fatigue contributes to up to 40% of all commercial trucking accidents.
The federal government enacted the Hours of Service regulations to prevent fatigue-related truck and 18-wheeler crashes. Earlier this year, however, the Trump administration announced Hours of Service exemptions for truckers hauling essential goods during the global coronavirus pandemic.
Weakened Hours of Service Rules Take Effect in September
The administration also recently finalized revisions to the Hours of Service rules that significantly weaken several vital provisions. Among other things, the new rules will permit drivers to “pause” the 14-hour on-duty window for an off-duty break of up to three hours, provided they take the 10 consecutive hours off duty at the end of the work shift. They will also be allowed to take their 30-minute break while still on duty, just as long as they’re not driving.
The trucking industry spent years lobbying for the modifications and insists that the new Hours of Service rules will grant drivers needed flexibility without compromising safety. But critics contend that the weakened regulations will only lead to more fatigue-related truck accidents.
The new Hours of Service rules will take effect in September.
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