U.S. Department of Transportation
Office of Public Affairs
1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E.
Washington, DC 20590
www.dot.gov/affairs/briefing.htm

FMCSA 09-10
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Contact: Candice Tolliver
Tel: 202-366-9999

FMCSA Introduces Cargo Tank Driver Rollover Prevention Video

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today introduced a new training video that will help make the highways safer for cargo tank drivers and motorists alike.

"Cargo tank rollovers are among the most serious types of large truck crashes, often resulting in fatalities and serious highway infrastructure damage," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "Yet rollovers can be prevented and driver safety is the key. This video is a tool to encourage tank drivers to become more safety-conscious."

The video provides cargo tank drivers with best practices and safety tips on how to avoid rollover crashes while transporting hazardous materials. Developed in partnership with the Department's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the National Tank Truck Carriers, the "Cargo Tank Driver Rollover Prevention Video" uses driver interviews and on-road scenarios to highlight the factors that contribute to rollovers.

"Preventing cargo tank rollovers is a priority for our agency," said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. "We are pleased to introduce this new training video that helps cargo tank drivers and carriers avoid dangerous situations that cause rollovers and place our highways at risk."

"Tank truck rollovers are considerably more dangerous when they involve hazardous materials," said PHMSA Administrator Cynthia Quarterman. "Improved cargo tank truck driver safety will also benefit the general public that shares the highways."

Cargo tank rollovers account for 31 percent of large truck rollover crashes. In 75 percent of those crashes, unsafe driver behaviors such as inattention or excessive speeding are the primary cause.

In the training video, a variety of camera angles, detailed graphics and driver interviews focus on the four areas that affect the potential for a rollover: vehicle design, cargo load, highway factors and driver safety. However, the video's main focus is on driver behavior because in many ways, a safe journey depends on the driver.

The video will be distributed to cargo tank motor carriers nationwide, and is available for viewing or download at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/about/outreach/cargo-tank-video.aspx, and from the PHMSA website at http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat.

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