Fatalities in crashes involving at least one large truck showed relatively no change last year, decreasing from 5,006 in 2018 to 5,005 in 2019, according to data released Thursday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Total highway fatalities fell by 2%, from 36,835 in 2018 to 36,096 in 2019. “This is the third consecutive year in which traffic fatalities have declined after reaching a recent high of 37,806 in 2016,” according to NHTSA.
Traffic fatalities by crash characteristic. (Source: NHTSA)
The agency also reported that large-truck occupant fatalities increased 0.2%, from 890 in 2018 to 892 in 2019. That compares to a 0.8% increase between 2017 and 2019.
NHTSA’s 2019 summary data further revealed:
Fatalities decreased in 35 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico from 2018.
States with the largest reduction of fatalities: California (-192) and Pennsylvania (-131).
States with the largest percentage reduction: New Hampshire (-31.3%) and Vermont (-30.9%).
Fatalities increased in 15 states from 2018.
States with the largest increase of fatalities: Tennessee (95) and Ohio (85).
States with the largest percentage increase: Wyoming (32.4%) and Delaware (18.9%).
Although new guidance on mask wearing returns the industry to some semblance of normalcy after over a year of lockdowns and restrictions, employers should remain cautious in revising policies.
While Texans are accustomed to living life free of excessive state-level taxes, they were in for a shock when their own U.S. Senator, Republican John Cornyn, used his national platform to advocate for the establishment of a truck-only vehicle miles traveled tax.
As we discuss ways to improve the sales relationship between carrier and shipper, the term “commodity” always comes up. Most carriers feel being a commodity diminishes the services they provide. It doesn’t have to be that way.
The nation’s top trucking research group plans to update previous studies on the effects of legalized marijuana and other drugs on truck safety along with integrating 18- to 20-year-old drivers into the industry.
Throughout the entire 90-year history of trucking in the United States, excessive detention has been a scourge on the industry. An upcoming 90-minute immersive workshop will share tools and strategies to combat this issue and keep the wheels moving and profitable.
While a request for Supreme Court review of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision to overturn an injunction banning enforcement of California’s AB5 will almost certainly follow, at this time, motor carriers who operate in California must be prepared to act in accordance with AB5.
The word “safety” is everywhere in the trucking industry. It is talked about nearly every day in the press, Congress has zeroed in on it, and most carriers will say that it is their top priority. With all this attention, it’s easy to believe that safety has become cliché. But it’s not.
A day after Colonial Pipeline said there was light at the end of the tunnel for the line’s closure due to a cyberattack, the impact of the shutdown on the ground is being felt.
Truck drivers and fleets have two months to prepare for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) annual Operation Safe Driver Week, which is set for July 11-17. Here is what inspectors will be looking for.
