In a recent publication by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it was revealed that there was a notable 3.2% decrease in traffic fatalities during the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year. The report highlighted a total of 18,720 fatalities within this period, with a consistent downward trend observed over the past eight months.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressed satisfaction with the reduction in fatalities, reaffirming the Department of Transportation's dedication to enhancing road safety measures. Since 2021, the department has been actively implementing new regulations and restrictions aimed at mitigating traffic-related deaths. As part of their long-term strategy, the department intends to introduce a new regulation, requiring all cars and light trucks to be equipped with automatic emergency braking systems by 2029.
A landmark verdict in St. Louis, Missouri has resulted in a $462 million ruling against Wabash National, a major player in the trucking industry. The jury decision mandates Wabash National to pay $450 million in punitive damages and $6 million each to the families of two victims involved in a fatal 2019 crash. The incident, which claimed the lives of two individuals, occurred when a car collided with the rear of a truck. The case has raised concerns about safety in the trucking industry, with critics pointing to a lack of safety equipment to prevent skidding under trailers.
According to lawyers representing the victims' families, Wabash National neglected to upgrade its trailer safety equipment for three decades, prioritizing cost savings over safety measures. The families assert that the absence of safety devices on truck trailers has significantly heightened the risk of injury and death for road users, a concern that has persisted for over half a century without decisive action from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Following the trial, Wabash National representatives contended that the jury disregarded crucial facts, such as the lack of seat belt use by the injured driver and passenger at the time of the crash, as well as the driver's elevated blood alcohol level exceeding the legal limit.
The outcome of this case may have lasting implications for the trucking industry and could potentially drive broader conversations around safety regulations and enforcement within the sector.
Local companies and producers are expressing growing concern over the impact of a severe, prolonged drought in the central United States on the Mississippi River, which is now experiencing dangerously low water levels. This looming crisis is expected to disrupt supply chains for a wide range of products, including food and gasoline. The effects of the dry conditions on the Mississippi River have been particularly pronounced over the past two years, resulting in traffic congestion during peak times for grain shipments. This has had a significant impact on food prices, highlighting the importance of closely monitoring water levels in the Mississippi as it serves as a crucial conduit for the transportation of essential goods such as food, energy, and steel to global markets.
Recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture reveals that barge rates in the region between Minneapolis and St. Louis have surged to $34.15 per ton, marking a 19% increase from the previous week. The department also noted that soybean and grain producers are likely to be disproportionately affected by the declining water levels. While the transportation of crude oil via barge and tanker has diminished in recent years, the diminished water levels present a threat to the oil and petroleum products sector, potentially leading to significant price hikes. A severe drought has already affected parts of West Virginia and Ohio, gradually spreading to states along the lower Mississippi River.
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