William Canary, president and CEO of the American Trucking Assns. (ATA), said Monday 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 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% 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 also credits its outreach efforts as 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.
"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% 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."