The new S-curve of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge has seen its share of accidents since opening Labor Day weekend. Early Monday morning, a truck driver was killed when his rig crashed through the guardrail and fell 200 feet onto Yerba Buena Island.

Witnesses report the driver was travelling at least 50 mph as he approached the S-curve. The posted speed limit is 40 mph. The driver had filled his trailer with pears just before driving toward the bridge. Authorities believe that the combination of speed and the heavy load caused the truck accident. The rig exploded sending pears everywhere.

Once again, as has happened so many times since Labor Day, the highway was closed so CHP could investigate.

In addition to lowering the speed limit from 50 mph to 40 mph, flashing lights warning drivers of the S-curve have been installed. A Caltrans spokesperson has said there is nothing wrong with the design of the highway. Rather, it's the excessive speed of drivers. "Every single accident has been the result of speed," he says.

In addition to lowering the speed limit and flashing lights, reflectors and raised bumps between lanes will alert drivers if they are drifting. Radar signs will also show drivers how fast they are going.

Since the beginning of September, there have been an estimated 42 accidents just in this one stretch of I-80. Though many of the accidents can be explained as because the driver had grown used to the straight road they travelled on hundreds of time before they were now driving in unfamiliar roads, complacency is another reason people have auto accidents. Speed limits, flashing lights, radar, and highway bumps can only go so far in protecting drivers. Changing behavior will save more lives than these solutions.

If you have been involved in an auto accident or truck accident, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area today.