Shuttlesworth Law Firm, LLC - November 2019

CELEBRATING GIVING TUESDAY SUPPORTING THE PEOPLE YOU BELIEVE IN

RISKIER ROADS FOR EVERYONE

Highways across America might now be more dangerous than ever, thanks to some changes to federal regulations for the trucking industry. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced five key changes that would relax regulations meant to keep truck drivers and other motorists safe. While it may have been a move to give truck drivers more control over their work, the results of the changes could be deadly. The new regulations are pretty detailed, but some of the basics of the five changes the FMCSA made to federal trucking regulations have made it possible for drivers to spend more time behind the wheel without resting, forego their 30-minute off-duty break, and drive for longer in adverse weather conditions. Many trucking companies and truck drivers lauded the changes. They saw it as a means for drivers to have more control over their workspaces and schedules. While this may have some truth to it, safety advocates have pointed out some potential drawbacks that could come as a result of the relaxed federal regulations. WHAT NEW REGULATIONS MEAN FOR TRUCKERS AND MOTORISTS

November is usually all about Thanksgiving, but it isn’t the only holiday that encourages generosity. Giving Tuesday is a phenomenal celebration in which millions of people from across the globe are inspired to spend 24 hours giving back to the communities they love. ORIGIN AND GOAL Giving Tuesday is celebrated every year on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, and this year, the holiday lands on Dec. 3! It was established in 2012 by the United Nations Foundation and New York’s 92nd Street Y as a response to consumer-driven holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The purpose of the holiday was to spread the spirit of giving, not only for the people in our nation but also for individuals across the world. The goal is “to create a massive wave of generosity that lasts well beyond that day and touches every person on the planet.” TECHNOLOGY AT ITS BEST Through the use of social media and technology, the organization hopes to encourage and spread generosity on a global scale using the hashtag #GivingTuesday. The website states that “... technology and social media could be used to make generosity go viral; that people fundamentally want to give and talk about giving.” Through massive social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, the individuals and companies participating in Giving Tuesday can spread their missions and messages all over the world and encourage others to do the same. HOW YOU CAN CELEBRATE Now is the perfect opportunity to support your community and the causes you believe in. The best part of this holiday is that “giving” doesn’t just refer to donating money. People can give back by volunteering their time to help a nonprofit business, donating goods and food, or just buying a stranger some lunch. Even the smallest actions can have the biggest impact. If you’re interested in participating in Giving Tuesday, get together with your friends, family, sports team members, or neighbors to brainstorm on how you can give back. To learn more about how you can participate, visit GivingTuesday.org .

Putting more power back in the hands of the truck drivers is a two-sided coin. While they might have more say in their work hours, there’s now also more potential for truckers to try and drive through fatigue. We saw more truck accident related deaths in 2017 than in any of the 29 previous years, and some of those accidents were a result of fatigued truckers. Without some of the safeguards that were in place, it’s hard to believe that the number of accidents won’t go up. The changes also open up trucking companies to more opportunities to exploit their drivers, making them drive longer than is safe. One point that the

FMCSA emphasized about the new regulations was that they would save the U.S. economy $274 million. If cutting costs and making money are emphasized over potential safety risks, the truckers, and anybody driving nearby, could pay the price. We all share the road, and we all need to do our part to keep it safe. If you ever find yourself involved in a trucking accident, give Shuttlesworth Law Firm a call. We make sure you get the justice you deserve.

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