Truck-involved Fatalities Reach Historic Lows

September 9, 2010 1:00 PM

The number of truck-involved traffic fatalities declined 20 percent in 2009, dropping from 4,245 in 2008 to 3,380 in 2009, according to figures released Sept. 9 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The reduction puts fatalities at the lowest level in recorded Department of Transportation history and also shows a 33 percent decrease in fatalities since the improved hours-of-service regulations first became effective in January 2004.

“These latest figures illustrate the trucking industry’s deep commitment to improving highway safety,” American Trucking Associations (ATA) President and CEO Bill Graves said. “ATA will continue to advance its progressive safety agenda in an effort to further this outstanding trend.”

Since the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration implemented new, improved hours-of-service regulations in 2004, the trucking industry has seen dramatic drops in crash-related fatalities and injuries, and remarkably improved crash rates. “Greater rest opportunities for drivers under the 2004 hours-of-service rules and a more circadian-friendly approach to a driver’s work-rest cycle have helped truck drivers achieve these exceptional results,” said Graves.

In addition to the 20 percent reduction in crash fatalities involving large trucks, the number of truck occupant deaths decreased 26 percent in 2009, from 682 in 2008 to 503 in 2009. The number of truck occupants injured in truck-related crashes also declined 26 percent. Those are the largest declines among all vehicle categories.

The overall number of people killed in motor vehicle crashes in the United States decreased 9.7 percent from 37,423 in 2008 to 33,808 in 2009, the lowest level since 1950. That record-breaking decline in traffic fatalities is especially remarkable because preliminary estimates show vehicle miles traveled in 2009 increased by 0.2 percent from 2008.

ATA will continue to support the current, improved hours-of service rules, and will remain committed to advancing its highway safety agenda in an effort to further this outstanding trend. ATA’s 18-point safety agenda includes promoting greater safety belt use by commercial drivers, re-instituting a national maximum speed limit, improved truck crashworthiness standards, speed governing of all trucks, tax incentives for safety technologies, and a decade-long initiative to create a national clearinghouse for drug and alcohol test results.

Additionally, the numbers demonstrate that educational programs, like ATA’s Share the Road highway safety program, are working.  By teaching all motorists good driving techniques and how to avoid dangerous blindspots, the trucking industry is actively making our highways safer.

http://www.truckline.com/pages/article.aspx?id=784%2F{8E1C7279-ED27-4C03-B189-CEEEE26BBB12}

CR England Wins EPA Excellence Award

This award is great news for truck driving school students who are interested in protecting the environment. Now students can feel better knowing that they are training with an industry leader that is also making a conscious effort to conserve energy and lower green house gases.

The award that C.R. England, Inc. received is an Environmental Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency SmartWay^SM Transport Partnership. The award is directly related to the company’s leadership in conserving energy and lowering greenhouse gas emissions from its transportation and freight activities. The award was announced at the American Trucking Association’s Annual Management Conference & Exhibit in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Here are some interesting facts that most likely attributed to the excellence award. Over time CR England has saved 49,023,390 gallons of diesel fuel and has been able to decrease carbon dioxide emissions by 544,160 tons. Most of the savings have come via the implementation of fuel saving strategies and the installation of aerodynamic equipment on tractors and refrigerated trailers.

When you choose a CR England truck driving school for your training, your learning from an award winning environmentally friendly trucking company that has been in business for almost 90 years. CR England truck schools guarantee you a job after you have completed the training program. CR England strives for excellence and operates under the trademarked “DRIVE LIFE” motto. Contact a company recruiter if your interested in CDL training or visit www.CREngland.com for more information about our truck driving school program.

For more information about SmartWay you can visit: http://www.epa.gov/smartway .

US truck tonnage rises 3.2% in MayARLINGTON, Va. — US truck tonnage posted its first gain since February, rising 3.2% in May, according to the American Trucking Associations’ seasonally-adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index.

However, the modest gains were not enough to erase the 6.7% reduction suffered through March and April, the ATA noted. Tonnage was still off 11% compared to May, 2008, however that’s the best year-over-year result in three months.

ATA chief economist Bob Costello said it’s too early to expect a surge in truck tonnage.

“I am hopeful that the worst is behind us, but I just don’t see anything on the economic horizon that suggests freight transportation is ready to explode,” Costello said. “The consumer is still facing too many headwinds, including employment losses, tight credit, rising fuel prices, and falling home values, to name a few, that will make it very difficult for household spending to jump in the near term.”

However, Costello added he doesn’t expect tonnage to deteriorate much further.

ctl.ca – CTL – 7/8/2009

The American Trucking Associations said Wednesday it is going to be celebrating National Transportation Week by reaching out and bringing many trucking industry outreach programs to public events around the country.

Here is more information from in an article written by Eric Reller:

The American Trucking Association (ATA) said its Share the Road and America’s Road Team programs are representing the trucking industry at schools, naval bases, state trucking associations, truck driving championships and other events during through Saturday.

“National Transportation Week highlights the important role trucking plays in moving the American economy,” said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. “Trucks are the sole supplier to 80 percent of U.S. communities. We deliver food to clothing to medical supplies – and we do it safely.”

The American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of other trucking groups, industry-related conferences, and its 50 affiliated state trucking associations, ATA represents more than 37,000 members covering every type of motor carrier in the United States.