‘A Deadly Collision’: Restrictions Needed on Tractor-Trailers

Re “A Deadly Collision” (Aug. 1): Another precious life is crushed by a tractor-trailer, this time in Orange.

Every day in the news we hear of an overturned truck, a diesel spill, jackknife or burning semi. A motorist colliding with a big rig (which can weigh up to 80,000 pounds) doesn’t have a chance.

Fatal crashes due to trucks continue to be much more frequent than that of passenger cars when mileage is taken into account.

The expansion and development of Orange County creates an alarming problem which concerns everyone. The number of tractor-trailers roaring through our communities is frightening. One only has to observe these heavy trucks racing along to realize there is an accident waiting to happen.

An omnibus approach to safety is essential. All motorists can help make our highways safer. We must urge our elected representatives to introduce legislation addressing truck safety. Greater involvement with legislators, truckers and trucking companies is necessary.

This year, S.B. 2462 was introduced by Sen. John Seymour (R-Anaheim). The bill required the use of an electronic recording device (black box) on commercial vehicles to record the number of hours driven and the speed. The bill made it way through the Senate but was killed in the Assembly Transportation Committee.

I favor the black box for trucks, as I do for airplanes. I believe that legislation, to the extent that it may prevent trucks from crashing into innocent motorists, is necessary. The life you save may be your own!

HELEN SHANBROM

Santa Ana