A.C. THOMPSON:
Every day, millions of large trucks dominate American highways, often weighing as much as 20 cars. Collisions with these trucks can be deadly, leading to around 5,000 deaths and 150,000 injuries annually, with numbers on the rise. For the past year, I’ve focused on a particularly horrific type of truck accident and the reasons behind their frequency.
Location and Personal Story
A.C. THOMPSON:
Can you describe this place where we’re meeting?
ERIC HEIN:
We’ve dedicated a memorial bench for my son, Riley, in this meadow next to the church where he grew up. His friends often visit to remember him.
A.C. THOMPSON:
What was Riley like?
ERIC HEIN:
Riley was a typical lively 16-year-old who loved music, playing both the piano and the trombone, often teaching himself songs from the radio.
A.C. THOMPSON:
What do you recall about the day he passed?
ERIC HEIN:
It all went downhill after I got a call about an accident. By 11 o’clock, a deputy came to inform me that my son had passed away in a crash—one that was entirely out of his control. Experts we hired traced the accident, showing that a truck had forced his car off the road into a concrete barrier, leading to his tragic death.
Rising Underride Accidents
A.C. THOMPSON:
After Riley’s loss, I discovered the alarming frequency of similar accidents, known as “underride crashes,” where smaller vehicles slide under larger trucks during collisions, often with catastrophic results.
Problem Recognition and Industry Response
ANDY YOUNG:
Underride crashes can lead to severe trauma because the bumpers of smaller vehicles do not align with those of large trucks. As a result, lives can be drastically changed or lost in these incidents.
Past Efforts and Regulations
A.C. THOMPSON:
Regulatory attempts to mandate stronger truck guards began in the 1950s but were largely ineffective, often facing opposition from the trucking industry. One notable incident was the 1967 death of actress Jayne Mansfield, which drew attention to underride safety but resulted in minimal regulatory changes for decades.
Current Developments and Future Directions
A.C. THOMPSON:
Despite ongoing advocacy, the journey towards improved underride safety regulations remains fraught with challenges, primarily stemming from industry resistance and inadequate data on accident rates. As safety advocate David Friedman notes, the discrepancies prevent effective legislative action.
