Trucking Industry Marks More Safety Improvement; ATA Says Fatal Crash Rate Continues to Drop

    ALEXANDRIA, Va.--Nov. 25, 2002--William Canary, President and CEO of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) today said that new federal highway safety statistics for 2001 show a continued reduction in the nation's large truck fatal crash rate.
    According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the new fatal crash rate for large trucks is 2.1 fatal crashes per 100 million vehicles-miles-traveled (VMT). This continues a two-decade drop, putting the rate at its lowest point since the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) began keeping large truck safety records in 1975.
    "During this holiday season, this new safety record is something to be thankful for," said Canary. "The commitment to safety by our drivers and motor carriers is making a difference for everyone."
    The continuing drop in the large truck fatal crash rate coincides with a nearly 4 percent drop in the actual number of truck-related fatalities for 2001, the fourth year in a row this category has recorded a drop. And, truck drivers continue to be the least likely to be cited for alcohol or drug use in fatal crashes where either is a factor.
    The industry credits its outreach efforts as also having a major role in improving highway safety. Each year, thousands of Americans learn how to safely share the road with large trucks through the "Share the Road" program co-sponsored by ATA and Mack Trucks.
    This information is especially vital when considering recent studies by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety that show up to 75% of crashes between a car and a large truck result from an error by the car driver.
    Continuing its commitment to safer highways, this week the trucking industry is supporting the nationwide Click It or Ticket Campaign, the largest-ever coordinated campaign by law enforcement to crackdown on drivers who don't use their seat belts.
    "Today's new truck safety numbers are good," said Canary, "but we could save even more lives if we had stronger, visible enforcement of speed limits for all motorists. Nearly 30 percent of all fatalities result from speed-related accidents, so it makes sense to focus here. It's where we can make major, visible progress in making our highways safer while saving lives."