ATA Applauds Record Drop in Truck-Related Traffic Deaths

    ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 29 The American Trucking
Associations (ATA) today hailed new government statistics that reveal the
number of truck-related fatalities on U.S. highways declined for the third
year in a row in 2000.

    According to the preliminary figures released by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 55 fewer truck-related
fatalities in the year 2000 than in 1999. The improvement in truck-related
fatalities is particularly notable because it occurs at a time when overall
highway fatalities are on the rise.

    "We're proud of this improving record," said Walter B. McCormick, Jr., ATA
President and CEO. "The aggressive pursuit of highway safety by our motor
carriers and their professional truck drivers is job one every single day. The
new numbers prove that we're making real progress. They are motivation to work
even harder for safety."

    McCormick also said that ATA's strong support for safety programs has
added to the positive news in combating fatal truck crashes. Among them:
better industry-wide driver screening and training efforts, strong support for
increased and tougher roadside inspections by the states, and better targeting
of high risk carriers and drivers by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration.

    He also cited the trucking industry's national safety outreach programs,
especially the Share the Road program, sponsored by Mack Trucks, and ATA's
truck driver safety ambassadors, America's Road Team, sponsored by PACCAR,
Inc., manufacturer of Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks. The programs work across
the country to educate drivers of passenger vehicles on how they can safely
share the road with large trucks. These efforts are especially important as
federal highway safety statistics indicate that up to 70% of fatal car-truck
crashes are instigated by an error on the part of the car driver
    NHTSA expects to issue its final report this Summer.