Your June 8 Pre-Trip: NHTSA to require electronic stability control in commercial trucks

June 8, 2015

Here are five things worth knowing today: 1. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration just finalized a rule that would require commercial vehicles to include electronic stability control systems, according to Safety and Health Magazine. The rule, which is expected to prevent up to 49 fatalities, 649 injuries and 1,759 crashes annually, will take effect between 2017 and 2019.2. The New England states have joined together for the “New England Drive to Save Lives” campaign, a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration effort to reduce speeding. Fox CT news reports that state police in each state enforced the campaign, and that “compared to the same time period and locations over the past three years, the region had nearly 25% fewer crashes, and 30% fewer crashes that resulted in an injury,” according to the report. 3. A controversial proposed highway toll project that would stretch from I-55 in Illinois to I-65 in Indiana has been derailed, according to E&E publishing. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner and the state’s DOT announced in a statement that the “project costs exceed currently available resources,” according to the report. Several environmental groups filed lawsuits against the state, arguing that the agencies hadn’t explored other options, used a flawed method to forecast traffic volume, and didn’t consider the environmental impacts associated with the proposal. E&E said this is the latest among several multimillion dollar highway construction projects around the country to be disrupted over financial pressures or lawsuits.4. Twelve men who allegedly formed a cargo theft ring and stole $1.5 million in bedding, bicycle parts, perfume and other items have been indicted in New Jersey, according to Supply and Demand Chain. According to the report, the group worked together to steal tractor-trailers in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania between 2012 and 2015. Investigators say the stolen goods included $23,000 worth of Guinness beer, $77,000 in Bell bicycle parts, $151,000 worth of Goodyear tires, and $201,000 worth of clothing, among other merchandise. 5. The chairman of the House Transportation Committee will hold a roundtable discussion regarding researching ways to pay for an extension of the federal transportation funding measure at Georgia Tech University on June 9. The Hill reports that the discussion will include officials from Georgia’s Department of Transportation and Port Authority, as well as representatives from companies such as Coca-Cola and UPS. The Hill has more.

About the Author

Cristina Commendatore

Cristina Commendatore was previously the Editor-in-chief of FleetOwner magazine. She reported on the transportation industry since 2015, covering topics such as business operational challenges, driver and technician shortages, truck safety, and new vehicle technologies. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut.