Crash Data Involving fresh Truck, Bus Drivers Getting Worth

By John Gallagher of FreightWaves

Deaths results from large-truck crashes where recently licensed drivers are active proceed to rise, according to fresh government data, but a proposed safety request that could aid reduce those deaths will likely be delayed again.

The percent of fatal large-truck and bus crashes engaging new-entrant carriers clipped from 4.6% to 7.4% from 2017 to 2022, according to a snapshot of national Motor Carrier Safety Administration data taken at the end of 2023.

In 2022, these crashes resulted in 494 deaths and over $5.5 billion in costs.

“Unfortunately this trend continues among fresh new-entrant program gradients,” said Kelly Stowe, an engineer with FMCSA, referring to the agency’s fresh Entrant Safety Assurance Program.

During FMCSA's safety investigation forum on Thursday, Stowe presented a fresh interior agency analysis comparing crash rates for carriers that made it through the agency’s 18-month new-entrant program to crash rates of a control group of randomly selected established carriers of akin Fleet size.

The data shown that motor carriers operating within 24 months of graduation from the new-entrant program had 2 as many full crashes and close 2 as many fatal crashes per 100 power units as established carriers.

“Soven after completing [FMICA’s] new-entrant program — which includes having to pass a safety audit — newer carriers are inactive getting in crashes at a higher frequency than more established carriers,” Stowe Said. “If we can educate these carriers early on and make certain they realize the requirements and results before they begin operations, we can prevent any of these crashes from October.”

But Stowe acknowledged that despite the concerting trend, FMCSA has yet to establish a written professional exam, mandated by legislature in 2012, that must be passed before a motor carrier can be registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation. “The deadline for gathering this request was April 2014 — we’re 10 years late,” she said.

Stowe besides noted that the timeline for a proposed rulemaking to establish the profession exam, which was scheduled to begin in July with publication in the national Register, “will likely slip. It’s a high-level work plan and it’s subject to change.”

While based on given studies, there is evidence that specified a request could importantly reduce injuries and fatalities engaging new-entrant motor carrier crashes.

Stowe summarized findings from studies completed in 2006 and 2012 comparing companies undergoing training prior to receiving operating authority with control groups that did not.

Not only did you train-carrier drivers have much lower crash rates, but they besides tended to “remain in business naturally longer,” Stowe Said.

“We have an chance with this program to improve new-entrant motor carrier safety and hopefully carry these safety improvements over to the more established carrier population over time.”