Truck-involved fatality rate drops in 2007

Feb. 17, 2009
Figures released by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) indicate that the nation’s truck-involved fatality rate in 2007 decreased 5.8 percent to 2.12 per 100 million miles from 2.25 per 100 million miles in 2006.

Figures released by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) indicate that the nation’s truck-involved fatality rate in 2007 decreased 5.8 percent to 2.12 per 100 million miles from 2.25 per 100 million miles in 2006.

Since new hours-of-service regulations took effect in 2005, the truck-involved fatality rate has fallen more than 10 percent and is at its lowest since records began to be kept in 1975.

Truck-involved fatal crash and truck-occupant fatality rates also fell from 2006 to 2007. The truck-involved fatal crash rate dropped 4.5 percent to 1.85 per 100 million miles, and the truck-occupant fatality rate went down 1.98 percent to 0.35 per 100 million miles.

These crash rates are based on the FHWA’s figures that report vehicle miles traveled by truck increased in 2007 to 226.96 billion miles from 222.5 billion in 2006. During that same time, the actual number of truck-involved fatal crashes fell to 4,190 from 4,321.

Augmenting an established platform of safety initiatives, the American Trucking Associations unveiled a highway safety agenda in October 2008 designed to further reduce the number of highway-related fatalities and injuries for all drivers on the nation’s highways.

The 18 safety recommendations include promoting greater safety belt use by commercial drivers; reinstituting a national maximum speed limit; speed governing of all trucks; and a decade-long initiative to create a national clearinghouse for drug and alcohol test results.

Sponsored Recommendations

Heavy-Duty Maintenance Checklist

A maintenance checklist can help ensure you hit everything necessary during an inspection. Check out our free downloadable checklist to help streamline your repairs.

Five Ways a Little Data Can Save Your Company Millions

While most trucking and logistics companies rely on cellular to keep their work fleet connected, satellite has the ability to connect anywhere and through small data transmission...

Fleet Case Study: 15% YOY Growth for ITDS

Learn how this small trucking company scaled significantly and maintained outstanding customer service without adding additional people. Sylectus TMS can automate operations and...

Unlocking Fleet Safety & Efficiency: The Managed Service Advantage

Want to boost your fleet's safety and efficiency? Tune in now to discover the power of Managed Services in optimizing your safety program, streamlining operations, and making ...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!