Results of the latest study conducted by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) show driver history can be a strong predictor of their involvement in future crashes. Nearly 600,000 U.S. truck drivers were covered in the study that spanned two years, and the data collected showed that a dozen driver behaviors can make risky drivers more susceptible to crashes than their peers with clean driving records. To continue reducing the Continue Reading

After new highway safety numbers were released last week, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) is renewing its push for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to quit pursuing its recent proposed changes to hours-of-service (HOS) rules. The latest safety statistics show a significant reduction in the number of crashes since the last round of HOS rules took effect in 2004. In that time, the truck-involved fatality rate has dropped by 36 percent. Some critics are quick to point to the sluggish economy for the reduction in truck traffic–and thus crashes. However, the Continue Reading

According to the latest statistics published by Transport Canada, the country’s transportation safety initiatives are paying off. From 2007 to 2008, the country saw a 12 percent drop in deaths on its roads, marking the lowest death toll in nearly 60 years. With these improvements, Canada is on pace to reach its goal of a 30 percent drop in fatalities as compared to averages from a baseline period of 1996-2001 and 1998-2010. In 2008, there were 2,419 road user fatalities, down from 2,761 the previous year. Fifty-four per cent of fatalities were motor vehicle drivers, 20% were passengers and Continue Reading

The latest study exploring the link between cell phone bans and crashes shows that companies with the strictest policies — and consequences — have the best safety records. The results from the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety contradicts a report from the Highway Loss Data Institute released earlier this year that suggested bans on cell phone use led to more accidents. The study — covering 45 companies, 400,000 vehicles and 8 billion miles traveled — found that companies with the lowest crash rates were most likely to have a total ban on talking and texting while behind the wheel and Continue Reading

Two pilot programs in Maine and Vermont allowing heavier weight trucks access to Interstate Highways there got the green light from the Obama administration to become permanent. The move was applauded by the American Trucking Associations (ATA) as further improving safety and boosting productivity in the industry. Using more productive trucks means fewer trips, ultimately reducing the environmental footprint. On Continue Reading

A global driver risk-management firm contends that safety groups and government agencies may have dropped the signal on truly addressing driver distraction and correcting dangerous behavior. DriveCam Inc.’s analysis of in-cab video and other data streams from over 2 billion miles of vehicle operation indicate that handheld cell phones are the most Continue Reading