Institute for Safer Trucking and Road Safe America Call for Collaboration in Response to New Data Showing Truck Crash Fatalities Continue to Rise in 2022

The Institute for Safer Trucking and Road Safe America are alarmed over the newly released fatal crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for 2022.

This data highlights a critical problem within the United States: a 76% increase in truck crash fatalities since 2009, with the total reaching a devastating 5,936 lives lost in 2022 alone. Furthermore, the number of truck crash injuries reported in the same year amounted to an unprecedented 160,608 – more than doubling since 2009. All of this occurred against a 15 percent increase in truck vehicle miles traveled, which means that trucking continues to get more dangerous in the United States.

The states bearing the heaviest toll of truck crash deaths in 2022 include Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Indiana. Together, more than half of all truck crash fatalities occurred in these ten states. Several states also experienced dramatic increases of more than 100% since 2009, including Arizona, Texas, Washington, Illinois, and New Mexico.

Data Shows Dangers of Younger/Older Drivers and High Speeds

Over the last decade, the youngest truck drivers (ages 16-24) and the oldest truck drivers (65+) have experienced the largest surges in involvement in fatal crashes, with increases of 143% and 90% respectively. This data demands a reevaluation and strengthening of training, health, and licensing standards within the industry, and should motivate stakeholders to address the persistent truck driver turnover issue that has been plaguing the trucking industry for years.

Additionally, the data sheds light on a disturbing rise in the number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes on roads with higher speed limits. Since 2010 (the earliest year this data is available), there has been a 67% increase in the number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes. While the number of trucks involved in fatal crashes on roads with speed limits of 65mph or less went up 58 percent during that time, it is the roads with speed limits of 75mph or more that experienced the most dramatic uptick in trucks involved in fatal crashes, a staggering 440% increase. These statistics speak to a dire need for comprehensive speed management and enforcement strategies for the heaviest vehicles on our roads, including finalizing a rule to require top-end speed limiters in large trucks.

Furthermore, the critical events leading up to crashes have gotten much worse for trucks as compared to other vehicles since 2010, with a notable increase in incidents where a critical, pre-crash event that caused a vehicle to lost control because of a blowouts/flat tires and traveling too fast for conditions:

·        There has been a 79% increase in fatal crashes involving large trucks due to blowouts or flat tires, compared to a 44% decrease for other vehicles.

·        Crashes due to traveling too fast for conditions have spiked by 78% for trucks, while there has been a 3% decline for other vehicles.

The data presents a clear and urgent message: we must act swiftly and decisively to reverse these trends. The lives of thousands of Americans depend on it. We call on all lawmakers, industry leaders, safety advocates, and the public at large to collaborate to advance research-based solutions to reduce truck crashes, injuries, and deaths.

Together, we can improve safety on our roads and save lives.

For more information, please contact Harry Adler at Hadler@safertrucking.org or 845.558.1489.