To learn more about the complexities of the highly regulated trucking industry and how bill S1810 would impact tanker truck drivers, Senator Brownsberger did a site visit to Houghton Chemical in Allston on January 14. He met with owner Bruce Houghton to discuss the engineering and safety obstacles to adaptation of side guards to the tanker trucks operated by Houghton.
Rules of the Road
Mass. lawmakers hear testimony on bike safety proposals
The Boston Globe? reported on the January 6th Transportation Committee hearing at which Senator Brownsberger testified with Representative Hunt about bike safety legislation.
State Transportation Committee Considering Bike Safety Bills
WBZRadio 1030? reported on Senator Brownsberger’s efforts to pass bike safety legislation and highlighted his bill S1810? An Act to protect vulnerable road users by requiring certain vehicles to be equipped with side under-ride guards and blind spot mirrors. “If you ride along on your bicycle on the road, you’ll see some trucks where you could just about ride underneath those trucks,” said Brownsberger. “This [bill] would require those kinds of trucks to have a side guard so that if a cyclist did broadside the truck, they would be deflected instead of ending up getting run over by the wheels.”
Stricter Seat Belt Laws — continued
Thanks to all who have commented on my previous piece on seat belts. I have read all of your comments and am duly informed. On balance, the comments make me less likely to support the legislation. Perhaps the best argument against the proposed new law is that there are a lot of more important laws on the books that we are not enforcing today.
Stricter Seat Belt Laws?
Before Thanksgiving, the Judiciary Committee heard testimony in support of a bill to tighten the state’s seat belt law. I’m considering supporting the change, based on the compelling evidence that it would save lives. As always, I’d appreciate hearing your thoughts.
S.1117, An Act relative to bicycle safety
Senator Brownsberger has recently submitted the testimony in this post on S.1117, An Act relative to bicycle safety. The bill would encourage reflective clothing for bicyclists and would mandate use of bicycle helmets.