February 28, 2004
'Snavely' bill could save lives by putting alarms on trucks
Justin Snavely died three years ago next month while working with a survey crew in Overland Park. A garbage truck backed over Justin while he was looking in another direction. He was unaware the truck was nearby until it hit him.
No back-up alarm sounded while the truck was backing. That wasn't a requirement then, but it might be before long.
Justin's parents, Iolans Judy and John Snavely, have been in the thick of efforts to make back-up alarms mandatory on garbage trucks in Kansas. They think that would be an appropriate and lasting legacy for their son.
This week the Kansas Senate, in a rare 40-0 vote, passed the "Snavely" bill and sent it on to the House. While legislators are an unpredictable lot, it would seem likely that House members will embrace the measure and give Gov. Kathleen Sebelius opportunity to sign it into law very soon.
Justin's brothers, Jason and James, have joined their parents in pushing for the bill. They said Sen. Derek Schmidt, whose district contains Allen County, had been helpful.
In testimony before the Senate Transportation Committee early this month, the Snavely family made a joint statement, including:
"We pray no other father, mother, brothers or any family go through what we have in the tragic death of our son and brother, Justin."
They're convinced that a back-up alarm would have alerted Justin and kept him out of harm's way on March 28, 2001, the day he died.
Specifically, the bill would require all trucks "designed and equipped and used exclusively for garbage, refuse or solid waste disposal operations" to be equipped with a whistle, bell or other signal that would be sounded when a truck was backing.
A sad commentary on Justin's death is that in many communities garbage trucks are outfitted with back-up alarms, but not all.
The Snavely family attorney John Parisi of Kansas City, said he surveyed 40 communities in Kansas and found only 10 had trash trucks without alarms.
Trash trucks often are in residential areas. Anyone can be at risk when equipment is being backed and nothing more than the sound of the vehicle engine can be heard to alert anyone nearby.
An aside to the bill's progress, in addition to the unanimous Senate vote, is that no one from the trash collection industry testified against it during committee hearings.
Justin's parents both have first-hand experience with heavy equipment professionally, which gives their zeal to protect others from what occurred with their son more urgency.
John, an Iola employee, has worked with trucks and heavy equipment on city streets for 35 years. Judy has been an employee at Haldex Brake, which makes brake system components for over-the-road trucks and other heavy vehicles, for many years.
THE IOLA REGISTER
Vol.107, No.106
At Week's End
By Bob Johnson
