The Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2016 has come under fire from the American Bar Association. According to the ABA, states have had the authority to determine medical liability law for over 200 years. The HEALTH ACT seeks to eliminate the rights of states to determine medical liability law in numerous ways which would make it harder for patients harmed by medical malpractice to pursue a lawsuit and obtain fair compensation.
Pedestrian Accident Fatalities Rose in 2015
Recent reports indicate that 2015 was a bad year for traffic safety. Fatal car and truck accidents increased in the first nine months of the year, according to preliminary data. Now, a report issued by the Governors Highway safety Association suggests that pedestrian deaths rose by an estimated 10 percent in 2015. The report indicated a number of potential culprits, including an increase in distracted drivers and distracted pedestrians, warmer temperatures around the country, and a sharp drop in gas prices. More drivers on the road meant more danger for pedestrians and cyclists.
Report Calls for Research Into Truck Driver Fatigue and Safety
A committee at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recently prepared a report concerning fatigue in the trucking industry. The report called for greater research and analysis by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The conclusion was that there is insufficient information gathered concerning truck driver fatigue and its impact on highway safety and long-term health for truckers. The report also concluded that the lack of information is harming the FMCSA's ability to set rules concerning hours of service, medical certification and other regulations designed to combat drowsy driving.
Proposed License Requirements for Truck Drivers
A new proposal from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration could change the training necessary to get a Commercial Driver's License. The proposal was released today and will be open for public commentary for the next 60 days. The FMCSA could then submit the rule to the Department of Transportation and the Office of Management and Budget for approval, or it could extend the comment period to gather further feedback. Once the OMB and DOT approve the final rule it will be published in the Federal Register. The measure would go into effect three years after the publication date.
