ALT-1 Transportation and Safety
Transportation is a necessary element of society as trains and trucks carry products that we all use every day. Food, clothing, electrical goods and a host of other everyday items are transported on our highways and rail systems in order to fill the needs of our society. With the increase in the need for such services there comes concern about safety issues related to the vehicles used and the effect on people who are involved in the industry as well as those outside.
Safety is a major issue for anyone in the transportation sector and the regulations have been tightened in recent years for the benefit of all. Sad to say, there are still those who will attempt to bend the rules in order to cut corners and increase profits. Rigorous safety laws are necessary considering the damage that can be done when people refuse to abide by clearly stated rules.
We live in a highly technological age of planes, trains and automobiles, an era where people are constantly traveling, whether it be in their home town, their country or even worldwide. Safety is a major issue related to any form of travel and transportation and the regulations in place are tighter than ever. There was a time when motorists could drive without a seat belt but this is now illegal in most places and has resulted in a higher safety level, saving many lives in the process. The same is true within the trucking industry with regulations in place that ensure a greater degree of safety for both truck drivers and other road users.
The regulations are absolutely essential for safety reasons but unfortunately, not all companies or drivers will adhere to those laws. Most of us will have observed trucks traveling at speed ways beyond the required limit as do many car drivers. The speed at which a truck travels is usually more intimidating to other road users who may find themselves in the path of a monster vehicle traveling too close as the driver impatiently tries to pass. Speed limits are essential for all drivers but all the more so for heavily-laden trucks.
Another issue in trucking is the limit placed on loads and the weight any truck is allowed to carry on a public highway. Again some companies have taken a chance on overloading their trucks in the hope that the weigh stations along the route will not pick up on it or better still, that the weigh stations will be closed. Many truck drivers have learned to their cost that this is not recommended. The damage to roads is obviously increased as these gigantic vehicle pound the roads regularly, something that is moving authorities to opt for more robust road surfaces to ease the problem.
Another safety regulation for those who operate and drive trucks is the time limit on driving. Rightly, there are regulations in place to ensure that drivers do not drive for lengthy periods that will lead to drowsiness and the possibility of causing accidents that will maim them and other road users. No-one would want to be caught in a road accident caused by a truck driver who falls asleep at the wheel.
The same concern for safety is observed in the area of traveling by plane with stringent tests carried out on aircraft. The fact that there are very few incidents considering the number of flights around the world each day is a testament to the high regard the aerospace industry for safety. People fly with confidence knowing that such a safety record exists and the fact that people happily do so regularly shows their trust in this form of travel. Regardless of the mode of travel or transportation we use today, safety and security should always be a prime consideration in view of the consequences of laxity in this area.
