Holiday shipments might wear semi-truck drivers out

The holiday season is upon us, which means that truckers are going to be busy trying to make sure that stores get their goods and that deliveries are made to homes. The increase in shipments can mean that trucker are working more than they are accustomed to.

Fatigued truckers are a factor in around 40 percent of all semitruck crashes. This is one of the causes of big rig accidents that is completely preventable if truckers ensure they get enough sleep and trucking companies empower truckers to decide when they need rest.

Factors that contribute to fatigue

Many people associate fatigue with a lack of sleep, but this isn’t the only cause. Long driving hours, starting a haul too early in the morning, being on a tight schedule, driving in the middle of the night and not having time to rest between shifts can also cause fatigue.

When it comes to sleep, it is important that drivers gets a full night of sleep prior to starting their hauls. Getting enough sleep each night while they are working can help truckers to avoid sleep debt, which occurs when they don’t get sleep for multiple nights in a row. This means they might be more fatigued at the end of their weekly driving shifts than the beginning of the week’s.

Driving conditions can also lead to trucker fatigue. Driving on roads that are familiar or monotonous can impact a trucker’s focus and make him or her feel a bit out of sorts. The cabin of the truck being hot and stuffy might also contribute.

Medical conditions like sleep apnea and obesity might lead to drivers feeling more fatigued than they would without the conditions. Properly treating these afflictions might benefit the trucker.

Role of the trucking company

Some fatigue is caused by truckers rushing to meet unrealistic deadlines. The trucking industry is very competitive, so the promises of faster deliveries are almost always a consideration for clients when they choose which company to work with.

Even though trying to make the deliveries on time is important, trucking companies can’t do this if it will force a trucker to drive more than the allotted hours. Regulations set limits for shifts that drivers must abide by. Failing to do so could contribute to crashes.

Having truckers do non-driving work, such as loading and unloading the trailer can exacerbate fatigue. Trucker must count this type of work into their working hours for the purpose of tracking the number of hours worked per shift.

I-Team: ‘The Defecation Room’ — Former Inmate Alleges Misuse of Specialized New York Prison Cell

Liakas Law and Paul Prestia never stop fighting for your rights. No matter what your situation is or where you find yourself, we are always at the forefront of criminal justice reform and civil rights. Reach out to us if you feel you have been the victim of inhumane treatment or cruelty at the hands of our justice system.

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/elmira-correctional-facility-defecation-room/2205578/

I-Team: ‘The Defecation Room’ — Former Inmate Alleges Misuse of Specialized New York Prison Cell

The secure room, which has no running water and no bathroom facility, is used by prison staff to monitor the bowel movements of inmates suspected of hiding contraband in their body cavities.

 

What to Know

  1. A former inmate at the Elmira Correctional Facility says he was held in a contraband watch cell for 61 days with no working toilet or shower
  2. Christopher Johnson was in the facility after a 2014 Brooklyn murder conviction; he was acquitted at his retrial in 2018.
  3. The Dept of Corrections and Community Supervision says the allegations weren’t made while he was there; now it is investigating the case.

A former inmate, now cleared of murder, is accusing New York State prison employees of cruelty and abuse by locking him in a cell with no access to a working toilet for more than 2 months. 

Christopher Johnson, who appealed a 2014 Brooklyn murder conviction and was acquitted at his 2018 retrial, says he was held captive for 61 days in what’s known as a “contraband watch room” during his stay in the Elmira Correctional Facility.

The secure room, which has no running water and no bathroom facility, is used by prison staff to monitor the bowel movements of inmates suspected of hiding contraband in their body cavities. 

Johnson says inmates have another term for the cell: The defecation room.

“The defecation room is out of solitary confinement, but it is the contraband room where they believe you have drugs or weapons,” Johnson said. “If I had to use the bathroom, they’d give me a funnel through this little opening and I would pee in it. If I had to defecate, they would open the door and watch me defecate. As soon as I finish, they have to take the bucket for me to wipe myself. There are no showers. No brushing your teeth. Nothing. I was in an inhumane environment.” 

According to disciplinary records, Johnson was twice accused of smuggling contraband during his time in New York state prisons. He disputes both charges. The second allegation, which landed him in the contraband watch room, came on Aug. 4, 2017 after an altercation with a corrections officer. According to a document entitled “Superintendent’s Review of Disciplinary Disposition, after the altercation “X-rays showed that inmate Johnson had a razor in his rectum area.” 

But the records also say “the ‘metallic object’ was not recovered by security staff during the 1 on 1 contraband watch.” 

Paul Prestia, a civil rights lawyer representing Johnson, said it’s not credible that a piece of sharp metal detected by an X-ray would fail to be expelled during Johnson’s two months of isolation –- in which guards constantly monitored his bowel movements. 

“It’s more than inhumane. It’s something you wouldn’t see in a third world jail,” Prestia said.

Prestia says he asked the state to hand over the X-ray film and other medical records purporting to show Johnson hiding contraband, but that so far, prison officials have failed to produce them. Johnson says he did undergo several X-rays but he disputes that they show any contraband. 

“We’re going to get it eventually,” Prestia said, referring to the X-ray film. “This is the most incredibly shocking criminal justice story.” 

The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision declined to answer the I-Team’s questions about the state’s use of contraband watch rooms in general and about Christopher Johnson’s case specifically. 

“The allegations raised now by Mr. Johnson through [the I-Team] were never brought to the Department’s attention while Mr. Johnson was incarcerated,” wrote Thomas Mailey, a spokesman for New York’s prisons. “As the Department does whenever made aware of alleged misconduct, we have opened an investigation to determine what occurred.” 

According to directives published by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, drug/special watch cells are only supposed to be used “for a period not to exceed 48 hours” unless a bowel movement produces the suspected contraband or two bowel movements fail to produce the suspected contraband. If an X-ray detects contraband, the state directive says “the temporary isolation may continue for up to seven days with the written approval of the Superintendent.” 

The log documenting Johnson’s time in Elmira shows he was held inside a contraband watch room for the 61-day period between Aug. 4, 2017 and Oct. 3, 2017. 

“I think it’s torture to keep any person in a cell for one day without a bathroom or any type of toilet facilities,” said Sen. Luis Sepulveda (D-Bronx).  “I think it’s inhumane.” 

Last year, Sepulveda sponsored legislation that would make it illegal to keep inmates in solitary confinement for more than 15 consecutive days. Sepulveda said the bill, called the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term (HALT) Solitary Confinement Act, would also apply to contraband watch cells –- since they also keep inmates in isolation.

A group of prison reform advocates called it “an appalling act of cowardice” when the HALT bill failed to advance to a full vote in the state legislature last year. Sepulveda says Gov. Cuomo, a Democrat, considered it too costly to force local jails across the state to retrofit solitary confinement facilities without the aid of state funding. Instead of capping stays in solitary confinement to 15 days in all prisons and jails immediately, Cuomo and legislative leaders agreed to a series of administrative reforms that include a 30-day cap on solitary confinement -– but that cap would be phased in over three years. 

Sepulveda said it was the best compromise he could get. 

“You know, we can go in there and shove the bill down the governor’s face and throat and if he says ‘I’m not signing this. I think it’s fiscally irresponsible,’ then we get nowhere,” Sepulveda said. 

Cuomo declined to answer the I-Team’s questions about whether it is appropriate to hold inmates in solitary cells without working toilets for extended periods of time.

Commercial trucks present unique dangers on the road

Driving in and around the New York area more than likely brings you into close proximity to commercial trucks. Large delivery trucks and semis present unique dangers to drivers and passengers in smaller vehicles. Unfortunately, these dangers can result in catastrophic accidents.

When you have to share the road with commercial trucks, it is important to be aware of situations that can lead to an accident with one of the vehicles. The following can give you a basic understanding of the most common causes of truck accidents so that you can take steps to keep yourself safe.

Other vehicles

Passenger vehicles are one of the largest contributing factors to truck accidents. Many drivers overestimate the performance capabilities of large trucks. For instance, an impatient driver might cut off a large truck in traffic. These larger vehicles are much heavier than passenger cars and need much more time to safely slow down and stop. If a small vehicle suddenly moves in front a commercial truck, the truck may not be able to slow down in time to avoid a collision.

Furthermore, such a collision could end up involving other passenger vehicles in the immediate vicinity. Other faux pas that drivers commit around commercial vehicles include driving in blind spots, trying to pass a turning truck on the right, improper merging and driving between trucks.

Truck drivers

While other vehicles contribute to a large number of commercial truck accidents, the truckers themselves can also make dangerous mistakes on the road. For example, drivers who do not receive proper training or lack knowledge about safety techniques and defensive driving can easily cause an accident. Also, certain industry practices might lead to unsafe driving. Many companies pay higher rates to drivers who make their deliveries early. This often leads to drivers speeding or spending too much time behind the wheel without getting proper rest. Truck drivers who are sleep deprived or speeding are a danger to themselves and other drivers.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to an accident with a commercial truck, keep in mind that you have options. You might be able to file a legal claim against the driver and the trucking company for your damages.

Anthony Deliso, Esq. speaks at Danny’s Law event

Anthony Deliso, Esq. spoke at the Liakas Law sponsored anti-bullying walk hosted by non-profit Danny’s Angel Network Nurturing Youth (D.A.N.N.Y.) Inc. in Clove Lakes, Staten Island on Sunday. The event was put on in an effort to end bullying, to honor 13-year-old Danny Fitzpatrick, and to raise awareness for “Danny’s Law” anti-bullying legislation.

“Danny’s Law,” named after Fitzpatrick, would create an anti-bullying roundtable, comprised of education stakeholders, including teachers, guidance counselors, psychologists, parents and bullied children. The members of the roundtable will be required to send Congress a report with recommendations about how schools and parents can most effectively combat bullying.

You can find more information regarding Danny’s Law at Dannyslaw.org.

https://www.silive.com/news/2019/10/walk-to-end-bullying-held-at-clove-lakes-park.html

A variety of factors can contribute to commercial truck accidents

Everyone knows that there is risk inherent to operating a motor vehicle. Even if you drive very carefully, someone else on the road could still cause a crash. People choose to drive drunk or distracted every day, and that puts others on the road at risk.

When it comes to the biggest and most dangerous vehicles on the road, commercial trucks, the potential for serious injury and even death exist. These massive vehicles have blind spots that limit their drivers’ visibility, take longer to stop and often take up a lot of road space during a turn. There are myriad ways a commercial truck can cause an accident.

Under-ride accidents, for example, are both common and dangerous. If a truck stops suddenly, a vehicle behind it could end up rear-ending it. With most vehicles, that’s a minor fender-bender. With a semi truck, these accidents could be fatal, as the upper portion of the vehicle could get smashed or even clipped off.

Semi trucks can also turn or merge into traffic, causing major crashes. Sometimes, if they are stopped suddenly, commercial trucks can jackknife, blocking multiple lanes at once. Other people on the road could very sustain serious injuries or even get killed in these accidents.

Truck drivers are human, too

While the people who drive commercial vehicles do undergo special training and get subjected to higher standards than the average driver, they can still make mistakes.

Sometimes, commercial drivers come to work when they are sick, meaning that their response time and awareness could be lower than normal. Truck drivers also spend countless hours on the road, so both exhaustion and distraction could cause a crash.

Although there are laws that limit the hours a truck driver can operate a vehicle, these rules may get broken if a shipment is late or there’s an on-time delivery incentive for the driver.

Foolish choices

Sometimes, truck drivers decide to get behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs or prescribed medications that impact the ability to drive. While commercial drivers are generally subject to stricter limits on blood alcohol content, restrictions alone don’t prevent someone from driving.

They could also decide to eat while driving to save time or respond to a text message or email. Any of these decisions could end up costing other people on the road dearly. Truck accidents can wreck vehicles, break bones, cause brain and spinal damage or even kill people.

After an accident with a commercial truck, you should document the scene as well as possible. Evidence as to the commercial driver’s responsibility for the crash can help your insurance claim and ensure that you can access the compensation you deserve after a serious commercial vehicle accident.

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