Crash Accountability Report Starts Discussion / 2013 Crash Statistics Released / Truck Traffic Stops Targeted by Training

Crash Accountability Study

Cost and Concerns Outweigh Benefits

Recently a truck driver driving through Cincinnati collided with a bridge that had collapsed across the interstate directly in his path. Fortunately the driver survived but both he and his motor carrier will have this event on their CSA record for a few years. The trucking industry has petitioned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to remove from consideration any non-preventable crashes when calculating the CSA Crash Indicator.

The recently released Crash Weighting Analysis report finds these main objections:

The study clearly reinforces FMCSA’s prior statements about the issue of crash weighting although they have stated that this is not a final decision and more study may be needed. A comment period is open until February 23, 2015. [Docket No. FMCSA-2014-0177]

To the north, in Canada, they solved the problem of insufficient data by instituting a national crash report which contains data fields directly aimed at determining the critical reason for a crash and how the individual drivers contributed to the event.

Changing the crash reports of all 50 states is not something that can be done simply or quickly. However, even though FMCSA may want to use this study to avoid the issue, the motor carrier industry should use the conclusions to craft a workable plan to overcome the objections and eventually include crash weighting as part of CSA.

Crash Data Released

Fatalities and Injuries Decrease

In 2013 there were 1,063 fewer motor vehicle crash fatalities compared to 2012, a decrease of 3.1%, and a decrease in injuries of 2.1%. However, the total number of crashes that occurred on the roads increased slightly — primarily a result of an increase in crashes that resulted in no injuries, only property damage.

Nationwide, about one–third of the total fatalities were in alcohol–impaired–driving crashes. Thirty–one States saw declines in the number of alcohol–impaired–driving fatali­ties. Ohio had the largest decrease, with 118 fewer lives lost in 2013. Seventeen States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico saw increases in with the largest increase of 47 fatal­ities in Texas.

The truck specific information shows that the number of people killed in large truck crashes increased by 20 (.5%) over 2012. This change does not take into account the number of vehicle miles traveled which have not yet been released by the Federal Highway Administration. Once that number is known the rate per 100 million miles traveled can be computed and then compared to prior years. There was also an increase of truck driver alcohol involved fatal accidents. That increase was 14 accidents or 18%.

 

New Training Program

Focus on Truck Traffic Enforcement

Later this month the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration plans to roll out a new training program targeted at police officers. The curriculum contains information that officers need to know while conducting a traffic stop on a commercial vehicle.

The training, put together by FMCSA and CVSA, focuses on how to safely conduct a stop involving a commercial vehicle, what documentation to ask for, and other things to look for to determine the presence of illegal activity.

The main focus of this training is conducting a traffic stop, not a CVSA–style roadside inspection. In fact the training even makes note of the fact that they do not need to ask for a bill of lading or log book. The focus is on traffic laws and any other illegal activity the officer may spot. Several examples given in the training are alcohol consumption and drug activity.

Promotional literature for the program makes the following points:

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