VILLAS- A car struck the rear of a Lower Township trash truck Oct. 31 endangering collectors riding on the truck’s rear.
David Lepor, general supervisor, Lower Township Department of Public Works, stated the accident took place on a cloudy day, thus ruling out sun glare. In a release, he asked the public to use caution driving near trash collection trucks.
The trash truck was in its proper lane of travel, Lepor stated. A worker standing on a rear step of the truck had to jump off the truck to avoid being struck by the car.
“Everyone seems to leave five minutes late for every place they are going and they are rushing and maybe they take for granted there are people collecting trash on the street,” said Lepor.
The trash truck had strobe lights flashing and workers wore reflective vests, he said.
“I’m asking the public to take a second and think about the safety of those working on the street,” he added. “The workers are vulnerable on the back of a truck.”
From 1992 to 2012, 43 workers were killed while hauling solid waste and recycling materials in New Jersey and many more were injured, according to the state Department of Health.
Lepor said some drivers follow too closely to trash trucks or pass the trucks without regard to workers or oncoming traffic.
Township Manager Michael Voll noted public works employees are provided with safety equipment and training but the motoring public needs to drive cautiously near trash trucks to ensure safety of collectors.
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