The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "commercial trucking" ...
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Sick drivers causing fatal wrecks
The story (and follow-up pieces) exmined the issue of dangerous sick drivers who fill U.S. highways. The July 21 story found that hundreds of thousands of drivers carry commercial licenses even though they also qualify for full federal disability payments. The tractor-trailer and bus drivers have suffered seizures, heart attacks or unconscious spells that led to deadly crashes, with violations found in every state.
Tags: bus drivers; truck drivers; National Transportation Safety Board; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; blackout
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Leaks in the System
KMSP-TV found that oversight for drug testing of commercial truckers was lax. This allowed truckers to adulterate or substitute specimens in order to pass a test. Also they found that despite drug test being required, companies in Minnesota and Wisconsin continue to put drivers behind the wheel without testing them first. Lastly, they exposed a loophole that allowed failed drivers to keep working in the industry.
Tags: trucking; transportation; drugs; drug testing; oversight; Minnesota; Wisconsin; commercial trucking; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration;
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Flying high - U.S. Air Force pilots on speed
An ABC investigation reveals that, "in a little known policy, Air Force F-16 combat pilots, currently flying long night missions over Afghanistan, are being kept awake with speed - "go-pills" - amphetamines issued to them by their superior officers." The main findings are that the pilots are told to take the pills or otherwise would be found unfit for the missions; the pills -- Dexedrine -- are highly addictive and banned for use by commercial pilots and truck drivers; the FDA has not approved the drug for treatment of fatigue.
Tags: TAPE; TRANSCRIPT; aviation; pharmaceuticals; wars; drug abuse; FOIA; Department of Defense
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Crash Landing
This article tells how one man "for years tried to expose corruption in the state driver's license facility where he worked. ... He told of how would-be truck drivers were paying bribes to get commercial driver's licenses, known as CDLs, and how he suspected the state employees taking the bribes in turn used the money to satisfy the intense pressure to buy tickets to political fundraisers held for the boss, (Governor) Ryan. ... Then a horrific highway accident killed six children."
Tags: whistleblowers; fake drivers licenses; fraud; automobiles; accident
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Rigged for Disaster
The Post-Gazette series "uncovered dangerous flaws in medical certification process for commerical truck and bus drivers that allows seriously ill drivers to get behind the wheel." Unfit truck and bus drivers can go from doctor to doctor until they are approved because of the lack to report failed physicals. However, "physicians report that trucking companies will pressure them to pass their drivers- or risk losing their business."
Tags: National Transportation Safety Board; Department of Transportation; commercial drivers; certification regulations
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State Truckers Scandal: Licenses for Sale
WLS-TV began it's investigation by looking at a truck vs. van accident in which 6 children were killed and the truck driver obtained his Illinois commercial driver's license under "unusual" circumstances. WLS-TV learned that truck driver's licenses in Illinois were routinely and illegally being sold by Secretary of State employees to unqualified, untrained drivers.
Tags: TAPE
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Hammer Down: Trucking's Poor Safety
This Winston-Salem Journal series examines the safety records of the trucking industry in North Carolina. Extensive problems, gaps in regulations and relaxed enforcement caused serious issues. Most of the state's trucking companies have "unsatisfactory" safety ratings from federal inspectors. Also found the number of roadside inspections by Division of Motor Vehicles has dropped; rare check-ups; minimum regulation.
Tags: road safety; vehicle inspections; logging trucks; bus companies; trucking rules; trucking safety; commercial motor carrier
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Asleep at the wheel
This computer-assisted investigation examines car accidents involving commercial trucks after a series of Maine accidents in 1993 and 1994 killed five people and injured 13 others. Findings showed that 60% of fatal collisions on the interstate highway system in Maine involved trucks. Also, Maine's truck safety laws were found to be weak and federal enforcement efforts have been cut.
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No title (id: 6489)
WCCO-TV (Minneapolis) reports on Minnesota's dangerously inadequate commercial truck inspection program, Nov. 11 - 16, 1989.
Tags: TAPE; MN VanPilsum