The American Trucking Associations is asking the Department of Transportation to look at an accident study done by researchers in Finland as the agency continues to look at truck driver hours of service regulations.

Using a database of case study reports on all fatal two-vehicle accidents involving truck drivers in Finland between 1991 and 1997, the researchers found that trailer truck drivers were principally responsible for 17 percent of all accidents; the remaining 83 percent of the crashes were caused by non-truck drivers. In addition, only 2 percent of the truck drivers were believed to have fallen asleep while driving just prior to the accident, and 4 percent had been tired before the crash.
"These fatigue-related findings are consistent with FMCSA's recent research findings and with statements made by the ATA and others … that fatigue-related factors account for between 2 percent and 4 percent of fatal crashes," said ATA's David Osiecki in a letter to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, "and that the large majority of fatal crashes are actually triggered by the actions of other vehicle drivers."