According to the U.S. Dept. of Transportation (DOT), the fatal crash rate for large trucks in 2001 was 2.1 fatal crashes per 100 million vehicles-miles-traveled (VMT), putting the rate at its lowest point since the agency began keeping large truck safety records in 1975.
The drop in the large truck fatal crash rate coincides with a nearly 4% drop in the actual number of truck-related fatalities for 2001, the fourth year in a row this category has recorded a drop.
Canary added that truck drivers continue to be the least likely to be cited for alcohol or drug use in fatal crashes where either is a factor.
"Today’s new truck safety numbers are good, but we could save even more lives if we had stronger, visible enforcement of speed limits for all motorists," said Canary, who added that DOT records show that nearly 30% of all fatalities result from speed-related accidents.
