Fatal truck crash rate down

American Trucking Assns. (ATA) president & CEO William Canary today announced that new federal statistics for 2000 show a continuing reduction in the large truck fatal crash rate. New Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) vehicle mileage figures, used to help determine crash rates for all vehicles, show the new 2000 rate for large trucks at 2.2 fatal crashes per 100 million vehicles-miles-traveled (VMT), the lowest since the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) began keeping large truck safety records in 1975.

According to federal statistics, the overall large truck fatal crash rate has been cut by 29% over the past decade.

The continuing drop in the large truck fatal crash rate coincides with a 3.1% drop in the actual number of truck-related fatalities for 2000, the fourth year in a row this category has recorded a drop.

"We're proud to add our safety record to the list of things to be thankful for this holiday season," said Canary.