NTSB Recommends Truck Side Guards to Protect Pedestrians and Cyclists

11:02 AM EDT on June 25, 2014

Semi-trucks may soon be required to come equipped with side guards that help protect cyclists. Photo: Systemic Failure — Tractor-trailer trucks may soon be required to come equipped with side guards that prevent pedestrians and cyclists from being crushed. Photo: Systemic Failure

22-year-old Sylvia Bingham was riding her bike to work in September, 2009, when she was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer driver in Cleveland. The driver, who was later convicted of vehicular homicide, never stopped and claimed he didn't realize he'd hit the recent Yale graduate.

Sylvia Bingham with her parents at her college graduation not long before she was killed. Photo: Sylvia Bingham Fund

There are far too many similar cases all over the country: San Francisco's Amelie Le Moullac, or New Haven's Alex Capelluto, to name a few.

Now, reports Network blog Systemic Failure, the National Transportation Safety Board is recommending new regulations to prevent these tragedies:

Last year, the NTSB studied several safety issues with tractor trailer trucks. The NTSB proposed measures to reduce blind spots, and requirements for side guards on new vehicles. The good news is that the NTSB has now officially adopted those safety measures.
The need for these safety measures is clear. Bicyclists and pedestrians are particularly vulnerable to truck accidents. They are not visible to the driver up in the cab, and they have no external protection.

NTSB studied tractor-trailer collision data in five states to arrive at its recommendation [PDF]. The agency found that people walking or biking were, unsurprisingly, especially at risk:

Death rates of vulnerable road users involved in collisions with tractor-trailers were high: 152.8 per 1,000 involved pedestrians/cyclists and 119.5 per 1,000 motorcyclists. In comparison, death rates were 2.0 per 1,000 involved tractor-trailer occupants and 10.9 per 1,000 involved passenger vehicle occupants.

Next, the agency responsible for producing safety regulations for cars and trucks -- the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration -- has 90 days to respond to NTSB's recommendation, Systemic Failure reports.

Elsewhere on the Network today: Streets.mn marvels at a Subaru commercial that conveys the inherent danger of traveling in a car. And Seattle Transit Blog reports that local advocates are hosting a rally to demand a solution to the region's transit funding crisis.