ATRI Releases Study on Driver-Safety Predictors
he American Transportation Research Institute released a "crash predictor" study Tuesday that evaluates and links past driver traffic violations and convictions with their likelihood of being involved in a crash, providing trucking companies with safety-related information on drivers.
ATRI presented the study, which shows what enforcement and education programs are best to address potential or current driver behavior problems, at American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference and Exhibition in Boston.
"We know driver-related factors are involved to a large degree in crashes involving large trucks," said ATRI Chairman Jim Staley.
The ATRI research analyzed data on 540,750 drivers gathered over a three-year time frame to determine future crash predictability. A second objective, in conjunction with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, was to identify effective enforcement actions to counteract the driving behaviors predictive of future crash involvement.
The study, “Predicting Truck Crash Involvement: Developing a Commercial Driver Behavior-Based Model and Recommended Countermeasures,” shows reckless driving and improper turn violations as the two violations associated with the highest increased in likelihood of a future crash.
The four convictions with the highest likelihood of a future crash were: improper or erratic lane change; failure to yield right of way; improper turn; and failure to maintain a proper lane, ATRI said.
