My life was forever changed when my husband, a dedicated professional truck driver, lost his life in a tragic accident while driving his 18-wheeler. His truck was not equipped with airbags — a basic safety feature that could have potentially saved his life. Losing him has inspired me to advocate for stronger safety measures within the trucking industry so that other families may be spared from experiencing the same heartbreak.

This petition is not only about requiring airbags in commercial trucks, but also about improving road construction safety and increasing public awareness that truck drivers share our roads every single day. These men and women spend countless hours transporting the goods our nation depends on, yet many continue to operate vehicles without the same protections required in passenger vehicles.

Every year, approximately 500,000 accidents involving large trucks occur in the United States alone. The fatality rate in these crashes remains alarmingly high. According to NSC Injury Facts, 5,340 people lost their lives in large-truck crashes in 2024, and 17% of those fatalities were the truck drivers themselves — the very individuals responsible for keeping America moving.

Unlike passenger vehicles, many commercial trucks still do not come equipped with airbags or advanced occupant protection systems. Truck drivers endure long hours, hazardous road conditions, road construction zones, severe weather, and driver fatigue, all while operating massive vehicles that require constant focus and precision. Yet they are often left without the same life-saving protections available in standard vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that airbags combined with lap-and-shoulder seat belts can reduce the risk of death in frontal crashes by 61%. Airbags help prevent drivers from striking the steering wheel, dashboard, or side windows and may reduce the risk of ejection during rollover crashes. Side airbags, head protection systems, and additional safety technologies could help save countless lives.

I am calling on the Department of Transportation, trucking industry leaders, manufacturers, and regulatory agencies to:

*Require airbags and advanced safety systems in all newly manufactured commercial trucks
*Explore retrofitting options for existing fleets whenever possible
*Improve road construction safety standards for truck drivers
*Increase public education on safely sharing the road with large trucks

This is more than a policy issue — it is about protecting human lives. Truck drivers are fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, and loved ones who deserve every opportunity to return home safely after every trip.

By signing this petition, you are helping advocate for safer roads, stronger protections for professional drivers, and meaningful change within the trucking industry. Together, we can raise awareness, push for action, and honor the lives of those we have lost by working to save others.  I thank you in advance for your support in helping make our roads safer and improving safety equipment for our professional truck drivers. By signing this petition, you are not only supporting stronger safety measures — you are also showing support, respect, and appreciation for the hardworking truck drivers who keep our country moving every single day. Your support and advocacy can help save lives and bring more drivers home safely to their families.

“They Deliver Everything — Let’s RESPECT Them and DELIVER Them Home Safe.”