A grave incident on July 12, 2023, brought to light critical issues in truck parking and driver oversight. A Greyhound bus collided with three semis parked along an exit ramp on I-70 in Highland, Illinois, resulting in three passenger fatalities and injuries to 12 others.
The key issues: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that driver fatigue, poor oversight by Greyhound, and a lack of safe truck parking played significant roles in the crash.
- The bus driver was reportedly fatigued, a significant risk factor, the NTSB noted.
- Inadequacies in Greyhound’s driver management, like missing discipline and monitoring policies, were highlighted.
- The absence of proper parking for trucks increases crash risks, stated the report.
On the record: "This crash was as tragic as it was preventable," remarked NTSB Chairman Jennifer Homendy. "Until we address safe truck parking, lives remain at risk."
The NTSB plans to issue further recommendations aimed at addressing these safety concerns. These include advice to the U.S. Department of Transportation and other key transport organizations, according to an NTSB press release.
Next steps: With these findings, there's hope for changes to improve road safety, as stopping locations for truckers remain in short supply across the country's highways.