|
In 1998, 4,935 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes, an estimated 89,000 were
involved in injury crashes, and an estimated 318,000 involved in
property-damage-only crashes. |
|
Large trucks accounted for 9 percent of all the vehicles involved in fatal crashes
during the year, 2 percent of the vehicles in injury crashes, and 4 percent of the
vehicles in property-damage-only crashes. |
|
A total of 5,374 people were killed and an estimated 127,000 were injured in crashes
involving at least one large truck. A large percentage of the people killed in the
crashes were occupants of the other vehicles involved. |
|
The crash involvement rate for large trucks in fatal crashes (number of vehicles
involved per 100 million vehicle miles traveled) was slightly higher than the rate
for passenger vehicles. For injury crashes, however, the involvement rate for
passenger vehicles was more than three times the rate for large trucks. |
|
Sixty-five percent of the trucks involved in fatal crashes, and more than one-half of
those involved in non-fatal crashes, were tractors pulling single semi-trailers. Three
percent of the trucks in fatal crashes were doubles, and 0.2 percent were triples.
Less than 5 percent of the trucks in fatal and non-fatal crashes were transporting
hazardous materials. |
|
In two-vehicle fatal crashes involving a large truck and a passenger vehicle, 7 percent
of the truck drivers were under 26 years old, and 2 percent were over 65. In contrast,
24 percent of the drivers of the passenger vehicles involved were under 26 years old,
and 20 percent were over 65. |
|
In two-vehicle fatal crashes involving a large truck and a passenger vehicle, only
0.6 percent of the truck drivers had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.10
grams per deciliter or greater, the level for intoxication in most States. In contrast,
14 percent of the drivers of the passenger vehicles involved had a BAC level of 0.10
or greater. |
|
In two-vehicle fatal crashes involving a large truck and a passenger vehicle,
driver-related crash factors were coded for 26 percent of the truck drivers involved.
In contrast, driver-related crash factors were coded for 82 percent of the passenger
vehicle drivers involved. |
|
A large majority of the fatal and non-fatal crashes involving large trucks occurred in
good weather, on dry road surfaces, during the day, and on weekdays. |
|
In 79 percent of the fatal crashes involving large trucks, the first harmful event was
the collision of the truck with another vehicle in transport. In more than two-thirds
of the non-fatal crashes involving large trucks, the first harmful event was the
collision of the truck with another moving vehicle. |
|