WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today applauded the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for conducting a speedy and in-depth review of the tragic fatal collision between a tractor-trailer and a limousine that occurred on the New Jersey Turnpike earlier this month. The NTSB’s report, issued today, reveals that the driver of the truck was minutes away from the maximum hours of service federal rules permit truck drivers to work. The initial findings suggest that had the driver of the truck reached his planned destination he would likely have exceeded the maximum number of hours permitted.

“I am deeply concerned that truck drivers are being pushed to the absolute limits by the industry in order to make a decent wage and maintain their job security. The current state of the industry puts drivers and other motorists in danger,” said Senator Booker. “Truck drivers are working extremely long days to deliver the goods that keep the American economy moving, but it should never be at the cost of human safety. I am encouraged that NTSB conducted a thorough review of the tragic accident that occurred on the New Jersey Turnpike earlier this month. This particular accident, like so many that occur each day, underscores the serious problem of tired drivers operating large trucks and the urgent need to protect and improve the critical federal safety reforms that could save lives.”

“Too many lives have been lost on our highways as a result of tired, overworked truck drivers who are pushed to the max in the name of corporate profits and at the expense of public safety,” said Senator Menendez. “I am pleased that the NTSB is aggressively investigating the fatal crash on the Turnpike—one of four suffered in just one week on New Jersey highways. This, sadly, is a pervasive problem that requires greater federal safety standards—not fewer—to ensure innocent lives are not put at risk.”

The number of fatalities caused by truck accidents has risen by 16 percent since 2009 and the number of people injured in these crashes has increased by 40 percent. Every year on average, over 4,000 people are killed and nearly 100,000 are injured in large truck crashes.

On Wednesday, June 18, Senator Booker filed an amendment on the floor of the Senate to protect critical truck driver fatigue rules. Specifically, the amendment would prevent a dangerous increase in the number of hours drivers may operate each week and would ensure drivers get much-needed rest time. The amendment has gained wide support among Senate Democrats and the list of Cosponsors includes: Senators John D. Rockefeller (D-W.VA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Richard Durbin (D-IL), and Brian Schatz (D-HI).