Fatalities in crashes involving large trucks dropped from 5,282 in 2000 to 5,082 in 2001, according to figures released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The drop of 200 fatalities was more than reported in preliminary figures earlier this year, when NHTSA reported that large truck crashes dropped to 5192 in 2001.
This is the fourth year in a row that the number of fatalities involving large trucks declined. There were 5,395 such fatalities in 1998.
American Trucking Associations President William Canary called the statistics "the result of the men and women behind the wheels of our tractor-trailers focusing on the safety of all vehicles every moment they're on the road."
However, he said, the nation could do better if authorities will increase visible traffic enforcement for both cars and trucks.
Overall, the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) decreased slightly. It was 1.52 in 2001, a small reduction from the final 2000 rate of 1.53. The drop in the 2001 fatality rate occurred because fatalities remained relatively constant despite an increase in vehicle miles traveled. In 2001, vehicle miles traveled increased slightly to 2.778 trillion, up from 2.75 trillion in 2000, according to preliminary estimates from the Department's Federal Highway Administration.
NHTSA annually collects crash data from 50 states and the District of Columbia to produce an annual report on traffic crash trends. To view a summary of the 2001 crash statistics on the Internet, go to www.nhtsa.dot.gov. Under "Popular Information" click on "Crash Statistics" and at the next site, click on "Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes/Fatality and Injury Estimates for 2001."