The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently announced a final rule that changes hours of service (HOS) safety provisions for commercial truck drivers. Safety advocates had requested changes for some time as accidents involving driver fatigue and distracted driving were prominent news stories in 2011. According to numerous reports, the final rule reduces the maximum number of hours a truck driver can work within a week to 70 hours.

Unfortunately, Texas has one of the highest crash rates in the country. The Texas Department of Transportation reported 242 fatal large truck accidents in 2009. More than two-thirds of these deadly collisions occurred in rural areas and were mainly attributed to inattentive driving, unsafe speeds — whether too slow or too fast — and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The Proposed bill would require new drivers to undergo additional training before receiving a commercial driver’s license. It would also require trucking companies to certify their drivers’ understanding of trucking safety rules. In addition, the bill would require truckers to install electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) in their rigs to monitor their driving habits and time on the road.

When commercial trucks collide with passenger vehicles, the consequences can be disastrous. The sheer magnitude of heavy trucks makes them a serious threat to other vehicles in the event of an accident. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,380 people were killed in 2009 as a result of collisions with large trucks. In 2008, one out of nine traffic fatalities was the result of a truck accident.

It is important to choose an attorney who is skilled in divorce law to handle your case. But how do you go about choosing the right one? A divorce touches every part of your life. It involves your income, assets and where you reside. Additionally, if you have children it involves commitments and obligations for many years to come. But, all too often, the most devastating aspects of a divorce are the emotional and financial costs.

Strategic tips every small business owner must consider to minimize their exposure to employment law suits. Small business owners want to focus on operation, not legal disputes. Most successful businesses function with the support of employees and staff. All business owners know that staff that are content at work are more productive for the business overall. However, most businesses do not have a Human Resources Department to handle employee related issues.

Two former African-American employees have filed a lawsuit against Hotels.com, and its parent company, Expedia, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPE), in Dallas County District Court, alleging that Hotels.com discriminated against them because of their race.

Several students have sued Argosy University, which is an education system of Education Management Corporation (Nasdaq: EDMC) in Dallas County District Court, alleging that the college lied to them in order to get them to enroll in the college. Argosy University is a for-profit college.

Texas recently joined the growing number of states that are putting limits on driver cell phone use and texting.