For large trucks 4,229 people were killed in large truck crashes in 2008. This is down 12 percent from 2007 and 19 percent since 2005 when 5,212 people lost their lives. There were 101,000 injuries from crashes in 2007, down 5% from 2006 and 11% since 2005 when 114,000 were injured. There are still too many people dying and injured on our highways from large truck crashes.

The resources on this page may support States with problem identification and support their research-based TACT program implementation.

Databases

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) maintains a number of databases that track current and historical safety performance data to measure the relative safety fitness of interstate commercial motor carriers. These databases also provide information about crashes; fatalities; inspection compliance and enforcement data; program measures; online tools; and motorcoach services.

Analysis & Information Online (A&I)
The A&I Database provides a comprehensive one-stop shop for crash statistics, inspection data, program measures, online tools, progress reports, and proposed new measures.

Fatality Analysis Reporting System
The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) contains data on a census of fatal traffic crashes within the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Reports/Guidelines

Washington was selected as the first pilot State for the Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks (TACT) program. The Washington State TACT Final Report provides information on the implementation. For more information, visit the TACT in Washington State Technical Summary Web page. Two additional states have published reports that provide information on their implementation: North Carolina TACT Final Evaluation Report and Kentucky Evaluation Report.

FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released Guidelines for Implementing a High-visibility Traffic Enforcement Program to Reduce Unsafe Driving Behaviors Among Drivers of Passenger and Commercial Motor Vehicles. States can review lessons learned from the successful TACT demonstration program in Washington State.

The Large-Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) is a data collection project conducted by various United States Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) agencies. For more information, visit the LTCCS Web site.

The Unsafe Driving Acts by Motorists in the Vicinity of Large Trucks study identified specific unsafe driving acts of motorists that contribute to collisions between passenger vehicles and large trucks.

Useful Tips

Bus and Truck Driver Safety Tips

Surveys indicate that many highway motorists are intimidated by the mere size of a truck or bus. When you combine this perception with a highway crash and the resulting roadway congestion, the public image of the motor carrier industry takes a beating no matter who caused the crash. By driving safely to prevent crashes, you can improve that image and save time, money, and, most importantly, lives. View the bus and truck driver safety tips.

Car Driver Safety Tips

When driving on the highway, motorists are at a serious disadvantage if involved in a crash with a larger vehicle. In crashes involving large trucks, the occupants of a car, usually the driver, sustain 78 percent of reported fatalities. In order to keep you and your family safe when driving around large trucks and buses, you should be extra cautious. Sharing the road with larger vehicles can be dangerous if you are not aware of their limitations. Read the car driver safety tips to help you prevent an accident and minimize injuries and fatalities if one does occur.

Work Zone Safety Tips

Trucks have more accidents in highway work zones than other vehicles. Work zones can be very dangerous for all vehicles, especially when traveling on the highway. It is important to be alert and prepared to slow down or stop in a work zone. Slowing down and allowing others to merge, will ensure a safe passage through work zones. View the tips on work zone safety. .

Related Campaigns

The No-Zone campaign educates motorists about how to safely share the road with trucks and buses. Its goal is to increase awareness of the No-Zones— danger areas like blind spots. For more information, visit the No-Zone campaign Web site.