Editorial: Ensuring roadways are safe for public

Sunday, Jan. 9, 2000 | 9:52 a.m.

The Silver State Disposal garbage company is coming under increased scrutiny for its safety record. Attention was heightened last month after a garbage truck plunged 300 feet down an embankment on Mount Charleston, killing a driver and a co-worker. The Nevada Highway Patrol still has not issued its final report on what caused the accident, but officials have said there weren't any skid marks, which means one of two things happened: Either the brakes failed or the driver didn't use his brakes.

In the past two years Nevada Highway Patrol troopers have removed 11 Silver State trucks from service because they failed roadside inspections, including five vehicles for brake violations. Some Silver State employees and union members also have said that company officials haven't taken seriously their concerns about vehicle safety. And employees have expressed their worries about reductions in the number of vehicle maintenance workers for the company. Silver State officials have responded that they in fact have urged employees to report unsafe conditions and noted that almost half of its 300 trucks are new.

Silver State has earned an excellent reputation for both its low rates and quality customer service. But law enforcement needs to seriously address whether the company is taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of its employees, pedestrians and other motorists, too. The Nevada Highway Patrol is taking the appropriate action, then, by conducting a safety compliance review of the company, going over its driver records, inspections, repairs and maintenance.