— Underride guard regulations should be updated to help protect car occupants when vehicles travel under tractor-trailer trucks, says Senator Chuck Schumer after he learned of a fatal crash in his state of New York.
Schumer says the recently introduced Stop Underrides Act of 2017 should quickly be approved to update and implement new standards to equip trucks and trailers with the guards.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that hundreds of fatalities and injuries have occurred as a result of underride crashes when vehicles traveled under the trailers or trucks.
In addition, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recommended the installation of rear, side and front underride guards as a common-sense way to prevent deaths and injuries.
Schumer made the push for legislation following the death of Edward Torres, who was traveling behind a tractor-trailer when his vehicle traveled under the trailer. The January 2, 2018, crash occurred on I-90 East in extremely snowy and slick conditions as the tractor-trailer suddenly slowed down.
Three doctors treated Mr. Torres at the scene but he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Senator Schumer says the crash shows the urgent need to update current regulations for rear underride guards and to implement new standards for side and front guards. The Stop Underrides Act of 2017 may not prevent rear or side crashes, but guards will help reduce damage to the vehicles and the occupants.
While some trucks are already equipped with rear, side and front guards, many trucks and trailers don't have side or front guards because manufacturers aren't under a legal obligation to install those guards.
Underride guard proponents say that although rear guards are mandated by federal law, current regulations are outdated because modern vehicles are now equipped with crumple zones and airbag deployment sensors.
The trucking industry says it has concerns about new regulations because of the added weight to the trailers. Additionally, there is always the added cost associated with equipping trucks and trailers with new underride guards.
