Latest Legal News | Norfolk Legal Examiner

National Transportation Safety Board Gives Truck Safety Recommendations to National Highway Traffic Administration

Last month, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) gave seven updated recommendations to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding tractor trailer safety. The recommendations were in these areas: Blind spots: NTSB reported that blind spots occur on the front, side

By Patrick Austin

/ 26 May 2014

Virginia DOT Worker Struck by Car’s Mirror on I-64 in Norfolk

A Virginia Department of Transportation contractor was hit by a vehicle’s side mirror while working on a stretch of road on I-64 East between Chesapeake Blvd. and Norview Ave. in Norfolk on May 20. The contractor was in a temporary work zone when the mirror…

By Randy Appleton

/ 22 May 2014

Observe Motorcycle Safety Every Day

It took nearly two weeks, but I was finally made aware that May has been designated Motorcycle Safety Awareness Week. Coordinated through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, state governments and nonprofits like the American Motorcyclist Association, the observance was launched sever

By Jim Lewis

/ 10 May 2014

Virginia Senators Seek Tougher Regulations for Crude Oil Trains

The US senators in Virginia are asking for more regulations of railroad shipments of crude oil, as well as more efficient communication with local first responders this week, after a CSX train derailed last week in Lynchburg. Three oil tanker cars plunged into the James…

By Patrick Austin

/ 9 May 2014

Rail Agencies Adopting Smoking Policies to Cover E-Cigarettes

FDA has not yet attempted to control the use and sale of electronic cigarettes, but many transit agencies around the US are getting ahead of the game. They are starting to adopt regulatory policies that treat e-cigarettes the same as regular tobacco products. These agencies, including…

By Patrick Austin

/ 30 Apr 2014

New York MTA Begins Installation Of Thousands Of Audio and Video Recorders On Commuter Trains

After CSX took an important step last month of installing inside-facing video cameras into the cabins of some of its trains, it appears that other train operators are following suit. Late last month the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority revealed that it would be installing…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 20 Apr 2014

Federal Suit Focuses on Toxic Chemical Safety on MN Railways

Railroad safety has been under the microscope across the US since last July. That is when 47 people died as a runaway oil train exploded in Quebec. Also, a tanker train derailed last December in North Dakota, which caused a major explosion as the spilled…

By Legal Examiner Staffer

/ 16 Apr 2014

Crude Oil Tanker Train Controversy Ignites in Virginia

Virginia environmentalists are concerned that an increase in tanker trains carrying crude oil to a new shipping center in Yorktown could lead to a serious environmental disaster. The issue is the crude oil that is being shipped in from the Bakken shale formation in North Dakota.…

By Jim Lewis

/ 9 Apr 2014

Another Life Taken by a Drunk Driver

Once again, the reckless and irresponsible decision of an intoxicated individual to get behind the wheel has resulted in an innocent life lost. A 2003 Lexus carrying two people was heading west on Saxis Road when a 1999 Mustang veered into the westbound lane and…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 7 Apr 2014

Toyota Intentionally Misled Public About Sudden Acceleration Defect

Toyota Motor Corp. agreed to pay $1.2 billion in connection with consumer reports of sudden and unintended acceleration, which led to the recall of more than 10 million vehicles. Part of the $1.2 billion dollar deal includes full admission of wrongdoing, payment of the assessed fees, and…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 1 Apr 2014

Thoratec Heart Device May Pose Serious Risk of Injury

Thoratec Corp., a mini heart pump manufacturing company, released an urgent safety advisory about the use of their pocket controller after four patients died and five others were injured due to the device’s use. The notice, which included new labeling of their HeartMate II LVAS…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 21 Mar 2014

Regulators Say Jail Time Possible For Crude Oil Transporters Who Flout New Rules

The U.S. Department of Transportation finally appears ready to give some teeth to regulations that would require oil transporters to improve the safety of their shipments. Following several recent oil spills and explosive train derailments, the DOT has begun taking action to bring the industry…

By Randy Appleton

/ 16 Mar 2014