For two years state representative Ruth Kagi has fought for legislation to keep dangerous trucks and drivers off the roads. She moved closer to her goal this week when the state House of Representatives passed the Tony Qamar and Daniel Johnson Act with a vote of 88 to 9.
Qamar and Johnson, both leading scientists, were killed October 4, 2005, when a log truck lost its load on Highway 101. The driver, Garland Massingham, was high on methamphetamine at the time of the crash.
As long as they types of accidents are covered by insurance companies–like those that employed Massingham–don’t have adequate incentive to really police their employees (or the independent contractors who work for them). If there were punitive damages, that typically aren’t covered by insurance, companies would not turn a blind eye to workers who used methamphetamine to increase productivity.
The Legal Examiner and our Affiliate Network strive to be the place you look to for news, context, and more, wherever your life intersects with the law.
Comments for this article are closed.