Merchant mariners hold one of the most dangerous jobs in the nation. There are a reported 23 fatalities per 100,000 workers, often from drowning. These accidents have many causes, including collisions between barges as they are lashed together and the simple difficulties of working on treacherous waters. A recent example occurred in early February when one tugboat sank after the wake of another vessel caused it to capsize. While the ship went ...

The U.S. House of Representatives is currently considering a new bill that could help make it safer to work on offshore gas and oil rigs. If implemented, the bill would call for standby boats that must be available within three nautical miles of all active rigs. New Iberia Rep. Jeff Landry sponsored the bill. If passed, it would signify the first approved precaution since the BP oil spill in 2010. Those in the gas and oil business are again...

By now, many of us are familiar with the dangers of distracted driving. We may think we are safe drivers or can multitask while behind the wheel, but taking our eyes off the road even for a split second can have life-long consequences. The number of serious or fatal car accidents caused by distracted drivers is a major concern for federal and state government agencies. But despite the attention, there are still a large number of distracted dri...

A rash of recent school bus crashes in Indiana, Washington State, and New Jersey have safety proponents again calling for federal laws to require seatbelts on school buses. According to school bus accident data reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), serious motor vehicle crashes that severely injure or kill drivers or students are very rare. Advocates of seatbelts on school buses, however, cite the need ...