Revised Report Shows Bigger Drop in Truck-Related Fatalities

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Final figures for fatalities in accidents involving big trucks during 2001 show a reduction of 200 from the previous year, rather than 19, as was stated in a preliminary report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The final report, issued Aug. 7, puts the number of fatalities in truck-related accidents during 2001 at 5,082, compared with 5,282 in 2000.

The result marked the fourth consecutive annual drop in fatality figures for trucks and was hailed by William Canary, president and chief executive officer of the American Trucking Associations.

"This good news is the result of the men and women behind the wheels of our tractor-trailers focusing on the safety of all vehicles every moment they're on the road,” Canary said.

“Together, as a driving nation, we must do better though,” he said, suggesting that “if authorities will give increased, visible traffic enforcement for cars and trucks the attention it deserves, many more lives can be saved.”

“On average,” Canary said, “speeding causes or is a primary contributing factor in approximately 30% of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities. By better directing our enforcement resources, we will see a dramatic improvement in highway safety that we work and pray for each and every day."

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