IST Statement on NTSB’s 2021-2022 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released their Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements, which included highway safety improvements that align with two of the Institute for Safer Trucking’s (IST) top truck safety priorities: requiring the use of speed limiters in class 7 & 8 trucks (weighing more than 26,000 pounds) and ensuring that automatic emergency braking is equipped and used in new truck-tractors with electronic stability control.
Recent data shows that truck safety continues to worsen in the United States. In 2019, 5,005 trucks were involved in fatal crashes, marking an increase of 43 percent since 2010. Of the 5,005 trucks, more than 75 percent of them were class 7 & 8 trucks and 56 percent were classified as truck-tractors. IST’s analysis of the data found that the front of the vehicle was the initial point of impact for 55 percent of class 7 & 8 trucks (2,076 trucks). We also found that the number of class 7 & 8 trucks involved in fatal crashes on roads with speed limits of 75mph or more increased 263 percent over the last decade compared to a 21 percent increase on roads with speed limits of 70mph or less.
The data shows a clear need to address fatal truck crashes involving the heaviest trucks on roads with higher speed limits. Below, we have included the NTSB’s recommendation that would be addressed by requiring the use of speed limiters or automatic emergency braking in class 7 & 8 trucks.
Requiring the Use of Speed Limiters in Class 7 & 8 Trucks:
NTSB Recommendation: Implement a Comprehensive Strategy to Eliminate Speeding-Related Crashes
Requiring the Use of Automatic Emergency Braking in Class 7 & 8 Truck-Tractors with Electronic Stability Control:
NTSB Recommendation: Require Collision-Avoidance and Connected-Vehicle Technologies on all Vehicles
We urge the public to visit our website to learn more about the NTSB’s Most Wanted List as well as other safer trucking solutions that we support. You can also help educate your lawmakers about speed limiters or automatic emergency braking by visiting our advocacy center.
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The Institute for Safer Trucking serves as a reliable resource for families of truck crash victims and survivors in need of help after their truck crash as well as for motor carriers, truck drivers, and the public to learn about safety improvements that can reduce truck crashes, injuries, and fatalities. To learn more visit www.safertrucking.org.