In one corner of the fight for safer roads in Arizona, there is the state legislature and a bill they introduced in April proposing to study the impact of requiring trucks to drive only in the right lane of some highways. In the opposite corner is Governor Jan Brewer, who vetoed the bill just a month later because existing Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) efforts to keep slower traffic to the right seemed sufficient. While both sides have legitimate arguments for and against the study, the safety of many drivers and passengers hangs in the balance.
Safety is a Fighting Word
Trucks are some of the largest vehicles occupying road space on U.S. highways. Unfortunately, this causes some unique safety concerns for nearby drivers. Trucks have blind spots, commonly referred to as "no-zones," in which the likelihood for accidents or injuries increases. Trucks are also much heavier than passenger cars, which increases the time and distance they need to stop, as well as causes more damage if trucks collide with other vehicles. In addition, the driving etiquette of some truckers, like driving tired, texting while driving or boxing in passenger cars, increases the chances of an accident occurring.
Bill Targets Trucks
Arizona's Interstate 10 (I-10), is a highly-trafficked and often dangerous highway that travels along the east-west corridor between Phoenix and Tucson. The recent bill introduced by Rep. Steve Farley to restrict where trucks drive on certain parts of I-10 was focused on studying safety measures and preventing truck accidents. The bill asked for authorization to complete the safety study on requiring trucks with weights of 26,000 pounds and over or with trailers carrying more than 6,000 pounds in freight to drive only in the far right lane during stretches of I-10 with three or more lanes in each direction. Should a bill like this target trucks or all slower vehicles that cause congestion and possible accidents?
Governor Pulls Punches
According to Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, who vetoed the bill in early May, the bill was "introduced to look at improving the efficiency and safety of our highway system, however it is unnecessary and duplicative at this time." Her reasoning rested on the current Arizona laws that aim to keep slower traffic to the right. In addition, Brewer cited budgetary concerns in spending money on an initiative that is already part of ADOT's responsibilities, which are to maintain and promote safety measures on Arizona roads. While this bill has left the ring for now, the fight for safer Arizona roads continues.
Rematch in Store?
It is uncertain whether the Arizona legislature and governor will meet any time soon for a rematch on the truck lane restriction issue. Many national and state trucking organizations, who have been fighting this type of legislation for years, most likely agree with Governor Brewer's veto, but for their own reasons. There is a consensus among truckers that lane restrictions actually create a wall of trucks in the slower lanes and can increase the potential for accidents. However, some states like Texas and Virginia that impose lane restrictions for trucks report a decrease in accidents and traffic congestion, so the legislature may try to revive this bill at a later date.
In the meantime, crashes involving trucks continue to happen in Arizona and on I-10, resulting in more damage and injuries than those involving only passenger vehicles. If you or a loved one has experienced a motor vehicle crash involving a truck or other commercial vehicle, contact an experienced Arizona truck accident attorney immediately. Although the fight for safer roads in Arizona is not over, the fight for your right to recovery from a negligent truck accident may just be starting.
