Eric Hein
@ewh161.bsky.social
Father of Riley who burned to death in a side underride crash with a semitrailer. Director, Institute for Safer Trucking and a truck safety advocate lobbying to STOP underrides.
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/1412b2a463134289a8f906f7a7b345e7
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/1412b2a463134289a8f906f7a7b345e7
Side underride guards are required on every truck in Bali to protect Vulnerable Road Users from the “kill zone”. Shockingly @usdot.bsky.social has rejected to support any regs that could save hundreds of lives every year. It’s time to #STOPunderrides
@transportdems.bsky.social @commerce.senate.gov
@transportdems.bsky.social @commerce.senate.gov
April 19, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Side underride guards are required on every truck in Bali to protect Vulnerable Road Users from the “kill zone”. Shockingly @usdot.bsky.social has rejected to support any regs that could save hundreds of lives every year. It’s time to #STOPunderrides
@transportdems.bsky.social @commerce.senate.gov
@transportdems.bsky.social @commerce.senate.gov
FMCSA continues to ignore data and @iihs-hldi.bsky.social while peddling the industry’s false narratives on side guards. It’s time to stop pretending there is no way to prevent Death by Underride! @transportdems.bsky.social
www.freightwaves.com/news/fmcsa-r...
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ee8a...
www.freightwaves.com/news/fmcsa-r...
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ee8a...
FMCSA refuses correction request on side underride guards on trailers
IIHS says FMCSA is compromising safety by omitting a crucial cost-benefit analysis from a publicly funded report on truck trailer equipment, but the agency is unconvinced.
www.freightwaves.com
April 18, 2025 at 11:53 PM
FMCSA continues to ignore data and @iihs-hldi.bsky.social while peddling the industry’s false narratives on side guards. It’s time to stop pretending there is no way to prevent Death by Underride! @transportdems.bsky.social
www.freightwaves.com/news/fmcsa-r...
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ee8a...
www.freightwaves.com/news/fmcsa-r...
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ee8a...
For decades, NHTSA has known the dangers of side underride crashes that kill hundreds of people annually. Yet, they shamelessly refuse to act.
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-05561.p...
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/d3d3...
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-05561.p...
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/d3d3...
Congressional Oversight of NHTSA
Half a Century of Inaction: NHTSA's Failure on Underride Protection Demands Congressional Oversight in the Lame Duck Session
storymaps.arcgis.com
March 31, 2025 at 1:33 PM
For decades, NHTSA has known the dangers of side underride crashes that kill hundreds of people annually. Yet, they shamelessly refuse to act.
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-05561.p...
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/d3d3...
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-05561.p...
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/d3d3...
OOIDA peddling side underride fiction again. It's time to correct trucking industry falsehoods with facts! Congress, use real data to protect the traveling public from side underride collisions. transportation.house.gov/uploadedfile...
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ee8a...
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ee8a...
Side Underride Guards: The Key Facts
Side underride guards on semitrailers and single-unit trucks would protect all road users and prevent hundreds of deaths annually
storymaps.arcgis.com
March 27, 2025 at 2:22 PM
OOIDA peddling side underride fiction again. It's time to correct trucking industry falsehoods with facts! Congress, use real data to protect the traveling public from side underride collisions. transportation.house.gov/uploadedfile...
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ee8a...
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ee8a...
This is leadership that matters! Thank you Senator Lujan & Rep Cohen for re-introducing the DOT Victim & Survivor Advocate Act to create a National Roadway Safety Advocate at USDOT to improve roadway safety and support vehicle crash victims!
www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/pre...
www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/pre...
Luján, Cohen Reintroduce Bicameral Legislation to Improve Roadway Safety and Uplift Victim Voices at DOT - Senator Ben Ray Luján
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, reintroduced the DOT Victim and Survivor Advocate Act to creat...
www.lujan.senate.gov
February 7, 2025 at 4:31 PM
This is leadership that matters! Thank you Senator Lujan & Rep Cohen for re-introducing the DOT Victim & Survivor Advocate Act to create a National Roadway Safety Advocate at USDOT to improve roadway safety and support vehicle crash victims!
www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/pre...
www.lujan.senate.gov/newsroom/pre...
Best news of the week is the googly eyed bandit in Bend, Oregon!
www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/s...
www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/s...
Someone Is Sticking Googly Eyes on Public Sculptures in Oregon—and City Officials Are Not Amused
Many residents of Bend love the illicit adornments, which they say are sparking joy and driving engagement with public art
www.smithsonianmag.com
December 18, 2024 at 1:27 AM
Best news of the week is the googly eyed bandit in Bend, Oregon!
www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/s...
www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/s...
For decades NHTSA and @usdot.bsky.social has known FARS underride data is underreported & biased low. GAO found States were not required to report underride data. Nearly 2 years ago, I petitioned for a simple fix and NHTSA failed to even respond. Intentional or negligence?
@commerce.senate.gov
@commerce.senate.gov
December 16, 2024 at 6:11 PM
For decades NHTSA and @usdot.bsky.social has known FARS underride data is underreported & biased low. GAO found States were not required to report underride data. Nearly 2 years ago, I petitioned for a simple fix and NHTSA failed to even respond. Intentional or negligence?
@commerce.senate.gov
@commerce.senate.gov
This doesn't address the Congressional Review Act that will certainly be used to overturn final rules published in the last 60 Congressional working days and bar
NHTSA or FMCSA from issuing "substantially similar" rules...the consequences of foot dragging. www.post-gazette.com/news/transpo...
NHTSA or FMCSA from issuing "substantially similar" rules...the consequences of foot dragging. www.post-gazette.com/news/transpo...
Safety advocates fear Trump will drop long-sought rules to reduce fatal truck crashes
Mandates for automatic emergency braking and speed limiters are being drafted.
www.post-gazette.com
December 11, 2024 at 8:58 PM
This doesn't address the Congressional Review Act that will certainly be used to overturn final rules published in the last 60 Congressional working days and bar
NHTSA or FMCSA from issuing "substantially similar" rules...the consequences of foot dragging. www.post-gazette.com/news/transpo...
NHTSA or FMCSA from issuing "substantially similar" rules...the consequences of foot dragging. www.post-gazette.com/news/transpo...
The 2021 Infrastructure law gave @usdot.bsky.social 1 year to research semitrailer side underride guards & if warranted, develop performance standards. Secretary Pete has a month left to publish support for side guards using data and facts to #STOPunderrides. Why wait?
arcg.is/0mS8zm
arcg.is/0mS8zm
Side Underride Guards: The Key Facts
Side underride guards on semitrailers and single-unit trucks would protect all road users and prevent hundreds of deaths annually
arcg.is
December 11, 2024 at 4:23 PM
The 2021 Infrastructure law gave @usdot.bsky.social 1 year to research semitrailer side underride guards & if warranted, develop performance standards. Secretary Pete has a month left to publish support for side guards using data and facts to #STOPunderrides. Why wait?
arcg.is/0mS8zm
arcg.is/0mS8zm
Throw back because Oversight is needed!
Walking the halls of Congress telling the story of my son Riley’s death in a side underride crash. A simple fix for NHTSA to mandate side guards and save lives, but the Agency is captured by the trucking industry.
Walking the halls of Congress telling the story of my son Riley’s death in a side underride crash. A simple fix for NHTSA to mandate side guards and save lives, but the Agency is captured by the trucking industry.
December 7, 2024 at 3:14 AM
Throw back because Oversight is needed!
Walking the halls of Congress telling the story of my son Riley’s death in a side underride crash. A simple fix for NHTSA to mandate side guards and save lives, but the Agency is captured by the trucking industry.
Walking the halls of Congress telling the story of my son Riley’s death in a side underride crash. A simple fix for NHTSA to mandate side guards and save lives, but the Agency is captured by the trucking industry.
The California Highway Patrol can require side underride guards in semis, so we recently filed an administrative petition. Please consider sending an email to support this effort to STOP underrides and save lives
www.calbike.org/calbike-cont...
www.calbike.org/calbike-cont...
CalBike Continues Campaign for Safer Vehicles - CalBike
SB 961 didn't pass, but CalBike is still working with our partners to get intelligent speed assist and truck side underride guards.
www.calbike.org
December 2, 2024 at 1:30 AM
The California Highway Patrol can require side underride guards in semis, so we recently filed an administrative petition. Please consider sending an email to support this effort to STOP underrides and save lives
www.calbike.org/calbike-cont...
www.calbike.org/calbike-cont...
Imagine, your last view is the underside of a semitrailer coming through the windshield-bypassing airbags, seatbelts, and crumple zones. Engineered safety systems are worthless unless we #STOPunderrides. You are not safe next to a semi! @petebuttigieg8.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrL7...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrL7...
Benefits of side underride guards for semitrailers
YouTube video by IIHS
www.youtube.com
December 1, 2024 at 4:06 PM
Imagine, your last view is the underside of a semitrailer coming through the windshield-bypassing airbags, seatbelts, and crumple zones. Engineered safety systems are worthless unless we #STOPunderrides. You are not safe next to a semi! @petebuttigieg8.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrL7...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrL7...
For 50 years the trucking industry has objected to 500 lb side underride guards on semitrailers citing the 80,000 lb weight limit, yet semis regularly carry:
*15,000 lb sleeper cab
*500 lb grill guard
*500 lb winter tire chains carried all year
Why isn’t weight a problem for any of these items?
*15,000 lb sleeper cab
*500 lb grill guard
*500 lb winter tire chains carried all year
Why isn’t weight a problem for any of these items?
November 30, 2024 at 5:16 PM
For 50 years the trucking industry has objected to 500 lb side underride guards on semitrailers citing the 80,000 lb weight limit, yet semis regularly carry:
*15,000 lb sleeper cab
*500 lb grill guard
*500 lb winter tire chains carried all year
Why isn’t weight a problem for any of these items?
*15,000 lb sleeper cab
*500 lb grill guard
*500 lb winter tire chains carried all year
Why isn’t weight a problem for any of these items?
Many of passenger vehicle and VRU deaths from underride crashes with semitrailers can be prevented with side guards. It is appalling that NHTSA suppressed side underride data due to regulatory capture by the trucking industry.
wapo.st/3Oyoe2Y
Perspective | Whistleblower says DOT kept important truck safety info from the public
Families who lost loved ones in crashes with large trucks and people with national organizations are now calling for an investigation
wapo.st
November 29, 2024 at 7:34 PM
Many of passenger vehicle and VRU deaths from underride crashes with semitrailers can be prevented with side guards. It is appalling that NHTSA suppressed side underride data due to regulatory capture by the trucking industry.
wapo.st/3Oyoe2Y
Nine years ago, my son Riley left home driving to high school marching band practice. He came home in an urn. It’s time for NHTSA to stop underrides. storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/1412...
Unguarded and Unsafe: Death by Underride
Semitrailers lack side underride guards killing hundreds and injuring thousands annually on our roadways
storymaps.arcgis.com
November 28, 2024 at 5:58 PM
Nine years ago, my son Riley left home driving to high school marching band practice. He came home in an urn. It’s time for NHTSA to stop underrides. storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/1412...
NHTSA ignored ~$6B yearly costs of side underride fatalities; hid 2022 side guard data from semitrailer companies; omitted benefits to VRUs; & truncated their own research showing efficacy of side guards up to 50 mph--all leading to a flawed cost benefit analysis. www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU-Z...
www.youtube.com
November 27, 2024 at 11:05 PM
NHTSA ignored ~$6B yearly costs of side underride fatalities; hid 2022 side guard data from semitrailer companies; omitted benefits to VRUs; & truncated their own research showing efficacy of side guards up to 50 mph--all leading to a flawed cost benefit analysis. www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU-Z...
@petebuttigieg89.bsky.social “If the evidence gathered by the agency [NHTSA] indicates that side underride rulemaking could contribute significantly to safety, the agency will commence rulemaking" Federal Register 1979
Since then, ~9,000 people have died because semis lack side underride guards!
Since then, ~9,000 people have died because semis lack side underride guards!
November 26, 2024 at 11:29 PM
@petebuttigieg89.bsky.social “If the evidence gathered by the agency [NHTSA] indicates that side underride rulemaking could contribute significantly to safety, the agency will commence rulemaking" Federal Register 1979
Since then, ~9,000 people have died because semis lack side underride guards!
Since then, ~9,000 people have died because semis lack side underride guards!
In 2004, the TTMA & 10 semitrailer manufacturers secretly worked to thwart lawsuits from side underride crashes, valuing profits over saving lives. Since then, thousands of people have been killed on our roadways because semitrailers still lack side guards.
www.propublica.org/article/unde...
www.propublica.org/article/unde...
Trapped Under Trucks: The Inside Story of the Government’s Failure to Prevent Underride Crashes
For decades, federal safety regulators ignored credible scientific research and failed to take simple steps to stop gruesome roadway crashes involving heavy trucks. Meanwhile, the bodies piled up.
www.propublica.org
November 24, 2024 at 10:49 PM
In 2004, the TTMA & 10 semitrailer manufacturers secretly worked to thwart lawsuits from side underride crashes, valuing profits over saving lives. Since then, thousands of people have been killed on our roadways because semitrailers still lack side guards.
www.propublica.org/article/unde...
www.propublica.org/article/unde...
We recently petitioned the California Highway Patrol to complete rulemaking to add side underride guards as a safety requirement to semitrailers and single-unit trucks. It's time to end death by underride!
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/8e96...
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/8e96...
Under the Radar: the Deadly Gap in Side Underride Protection
Semitrailers and single-unit trucks lack side underride guards and often kill California road users
storymaps.arcgis.com
November 23, 2024 at 4:40 PM
We recently petitioned the California Highway Patrol to complete rulemaking to add side underride guards as a safety requirement to semitrailers and single-unit trucks. It's time to end death by underride!
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/8e96...
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/8e96...
Tell NHTSA and Secretary Pete they completely failed to protect the traveling public from side underride collisions. It's time to correct the falsehoods with facts! STOP underrides!
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ee8a...
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ee8a...
Side Underride Guards: The Key Facts
Side underride guards on semitrailers and single-unit trucks would protect all road users and prevent hundreds of deaths annually
storymaps.arcgis.com
November 23, 2024 at 4:39 PM
Tell NHTSA and Secretary Pete they completely failed to protect the traveling public from side underride collisions. It's time to correct the falsehoods with facts! STOP underrides!
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ee8a...
storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ee8a...
In an unforgettable documentary from Frontline PBS and ProPublica, America's Dangerous Trucks examines a particularly gruesome type of truck accident—“underride crashes”—and why they keep happening despite a relatively inexpensive solution. It's time to STOP underrides! www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontli...
America's Dangerous Trucks
FRONTLINE and ProPublica investigate deadly truck accidents and the fight over measures that could save thousands of lives.
www.pbs.org
November 23, 2024 at 4:36 PM
In an unforgettable documentary from Frontline PBS and ProPublica, America's Dangerous Trucks examines a particularly gruesome type of truck accident—“underride crashes”—and why they keep happening despite a relatively inexpensive solution. It's time to STOP underrides! www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontli...