Making the roads safer isn’t necessarily going to be an easy road to travel. But it’s the path that we need to take to protect people in this great state of Wyoming.
Casper, WY (PRWEB) March 06, 2014
Recent revelations paint a dire picture of road safety in Wyoming. Not only are workplace fatalities occurring at inordinately high rates across the state, but the laws currently on the books aren’t sufficient to dissuade dangerous behaviors.
The first warning came a few months back. On November 15, 2013, the Casper Star-Tribune published an article whose headline speaks for itself: “Wyoming workplace deaths remain high -- 31 dead in 2012.” Although this headline conjures images of industrial plant fatalities, which are certainly a serious threat, a closer look reveals that much of the problem stems from the transportation world, where commercial drivers, especially those from outside the state, are killed in serious road accidents.
But that’s not all. Yet another article in the Star-Tribune, this one from January 24 of this year, reflects the problematic status of Wyoming’s current traffic laws. The report, entitled “Study criticizes Wyoming for giving learner’s permits at age 15,” delves into that problem and other potential hazards, all of which came to light when the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety handed the state a “Red” safety ranking for its unwillingness to adopt certain traffic safety measures.
Jason Ochs of the Ochs Law Firm has watched these recent developments play out and believes that it is time to do something. A personal injury lawyer who serves the Wyoming area, Mr. Ochs has interacted regularly with those injured in the accidents that the numbers from these reports represent, and he thinks it’s high-time the Legislature acts to change things.
“Clearly, something is amiss with traffic safety in Wyoming,” said Mr. Ochs. “Although progress has been made on some fronts, these latest reports show us that there is work to be done in order to ensure safety. Without the necessary laws in place, and without the further enforcement and educational initiatives that can promote adherence to these laws, drivers will continue to conduct dangerous actions that put themselves and those they share the road with in harm’s way. This is unacceptable.”
The Ochs Law Firm is calling upon lawmakers to consider the measures suggested by the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety’s 2014 Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws. Things like a Graduated Licensing Program for teenagers and stricter enforcement of seat belt usage could vastly improve safety.
To address the workplace fatality report, the firm is asking commercial enterprises that manage fleets throughout the state of Wyoming to develop policies centered around eliminating those modes of conduct that create dangers on the road, i.e. fatigued, distracted, and drunk driving.
“Making the roads safer isn’t necessarily going to be an easy road to travel,” said Mr. Ochs. “But it’s the path that we need to take to protect people in this great state of Wyoming. Improving matters will require the cooperation of average citizens, employers of all sorts, and legislators from both sides of the aisle. Though no simple task, it’s one that we believe can and should be accomplished.”
Ochs Law is an award-winning practice recognized by such entities as the American Trial Lawyers Association, Super Lawyers, the Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Association for Justice. With offices in Wyoming, California, and Colorado, the firm is able to offer representation to victims of personal injury accidents as well as assistance to persons going through divorce, filing class action lawsuits, defending against criminal accusations, and more. By visiting Ochslawfirm.com, visitors can gain access to a free consultation service and a litany of resources geared toward those who are hoping to learn more about legal representation.
The Wyoming State Bar does not certify any lawyer as a specialist or expert. Anyone considering a lawyer should independently investigate the lawyer’s credentials and ability, and not rely upon advertisement or self-proclaimed expertise. The information provided herein should not be construed to be formal legal advice.