Fatal crashes involving large trucks experience largest-ever recorded decline: report

Washington – In 2009, 3,215 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes in the United States – a 21 percent decrease from 2008, according to a new report (.pdf file) from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This is the largest annual decline since records have been kept, FMCSA said.

From 2007 to 2009, the number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes has decreased 31 percent, and vehicles involved in fatal large-truck crashes per 100 million miles traveled declined by 27 percent. The report also found:

• Injury crashes decreased by 30 percent, to 53,000 from 76,000, and the vehicle involvement rate for large trucks in injury crashes declined by 26 percent.
• Property damage-only crashes decreased by 28 percent, to 239,000 from 333,000, and the vehicle involvement rate for large trucks in property damage-only crashes declined by 24 percent.
• Alcohol was detected in 2.9 percent of large-truck drivers in fatal crashes in 2009, compared with 27.1 percent of passenger vehicle drivers.