The majority of truck drivers are doing everything they can to transport goods safely and keep America’s supply chain moving.
Unfortunately, there are bad actors who look at the tractor-trailers traveling down our nation’s highways as an opportunity for a payday. That’s why Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., has introduced the Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act.
S5058 would make staged crashes with a commercial motor vehicle a federal crime.
“With over 450,000 trucking jobs in Florida, it is safe to say that truck drivers keep the economy moving,” Moody said in a news release. “Unfortunately, there are crazed and dangerous fraudsters out there who would rather put people’s lives in danger for a quick payday instead of making an honest living putting in a hard day’s work. Anyone who stages or helps stage an accident with a commercial motor vehicle endangers people’s lives and livelihoods. On top of that, these stunts run up insurance premiums for everyone. Unacceptable. This legislation sends a clear message: if you do this, you will be prosecuted.”
The bill follows reports of elaborate schemes to stage crashes with tractor-trailers. Most notably, a scam in Louisiana, known as Operation Sideswipe, caused dozens of staged crashes involving commercial motor vehicles over a five-year period.
The Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act, which was previously introduced in the House by Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., is supported by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.
“Staged accidents are not victimless crimes,” OOIDA Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh said. “These are calculated, premeditated assaults that endanger lives, destroy livelihoods and compromise highway safety. To add insult to injury, criminals abuse the legal system for profit through false accusations and lawsuits, which contribute to skyrocketing insurance premiums for small trucking businesses.”
The bill is also supported by groups such as the American Trucking Associations, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the National Tank Truck Carriers.
“Staged accidents are a dangerous and costly crisis that is threatening public safety and household budgets across America,” said Stephen Waguespack, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Legal Reform. “Senator Moody’s leadership on the Staged Accident Fraud Prevention Act builds on the momentum to put a stop to these organized crime rings that specifically target trucking businesses.” LL
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