December 27, 2001 8:00 AM, EST

Editorial: A Safer Holiday Present

Trucking’s safety record continued to improve during 2000, as federal statistics show. The industry’s fatal crash rate fell to the lowest level since the Department of Transportation began keeping the data in 1975.

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that there were 2.2 fatal crashes per 100 million vehicle miles of travel during 2000, down from 2.25 the year before.

This rate, which the industry considers the best statistical reflection of its safety performance, has declined by almost 30% over the past decade, according to the federal numbers.

Last year’s improvement comes in tandem with the 3.1% decline in the actual number of fatalities in truck-related crashes last year, 5,211, down from 5,380 in 1999, which we reported in October.

ast year marked the fourth straight reduction in the number of people killed in truck-involved crashes.

"The commitment to safety by our drivers and motor carriers is making a difference for everyone," said William J. Canary, president of American Trucking Associations.

In response to the new data, ATA noted that:

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92.2% of fatigue-related crashes involved drivers of passenger vehicles, compared with 3% to 6% involving truck drivers.

In 89% of head-on crashes between passenger vehicles and trucks, the passenger vehicle crossed the centerline into the truck’s path.

In 88% of opposite-direction sideswipes, the passenger vehicle was the striking vehicle.

In fatal rear-end crashes involving trucks and passenger vehicles, more than two-thirds of the incidents involved cars hitting the rear of trucks.

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uch of the credit for improving trucking’s safety record belongs to the heightened emphasis carriers are putting on their performance.

And programs such as the “Share the Road” joint project between ATA and Mack Trucks Inc. help by educating passenger car drivers how to drive around big rigs. A federal study showed that up to 70% of all car-truck crashes are the result of an error by the car’s driver.

hile we should all be proud of these improvements, much remains to be done.

"I can’t think of a better holiday present for America’s motorists and their families than for the trucking industry and our professional drivers to give them safer — and more secure — highways on which to make their way home," Canary said. "We’re proud to add our safety record to the list of things to be thankful for this holiday season."

This story appeared in the Dec. 24 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.

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