Members of Congress and Truck Safety Coalition call for saving CMV safety advances

Washington, D.C. – The Truck Safety Coalition and leaders of Congress called for an immediate reaction to improve truck safety reforms following the release of the “Deadliest Truck Crash States” report. This report ranks states based on the number of truck crash fatalities per 100,000 population in 2020, the most recent year for which data is available.

This report data was generated by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to raskin.house.gov, “NHTSA reports that large truck fatalities surged 13% over the previous year reaching 5,600 deaths. Annually, there are over 146,000 injuries.” Since 2009, truck crash deaths have increased by an alarming 66% and policymakers are not acting with the necessary. Members of Congress and truck crash victim volunteers from the Truck Safety Coalition issued a strong call to action today in Washington, D.C., demanding that decision-makers consider the cost of inaction and take swift and meaningful action to address this crisis.

They also reported on the different perspectives on the situation:

Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC), Chair, U.S. House of Representatives Highways and Transit Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure: “The roadway safety crisis does not receive the attention it deserves. One of the fundamental roles of government is to protect people. With that in mind, I have made safety one of my top priorities as chair of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. I will continue to work toward safer roadways for all users, including in my run for chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in the 118th Congress. Thank you to the Truck Safety Coalition for preparing this landmark report on truck crashes.”

Kirstin Gillibrand (D-NY): “I’ve fought for years to protect Americans from dangerous and deadly underride crashes. And no matter what setbacks we face, I will keep fighting to raise the bar on truck safety. I thank Congresswoman Holmes Norton, the Truck Safety Coalition, and the families of victims here today for their tireless advocacy and I’m proud to be fighting by your side. We will not give up until we stop these preventable accidents from occurring.”

Joan Claybrook, CRASH Board Chair & former NHTSA Administrator: “Truck crash fatalities have increased 66% since 2009, costing victims and taxpayers an estimated $180 billion dollars. The large truck fatality crisis is an unattended and ignored public health crisis and it’s time for Secretary Buttigieg and Members of Congress to act accordingly. The solutions are not a mystery: require strong rear and side underride guards in addition to proven, low-cost technology like Automatic Emergency Braking and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems technology on all CMVs and critically terminate the lethal teen trucking pilot program immediately.”

This call to action has been made clear and the reports on the deadliest crashes must be addressed for the safety of our truck drivers and the public.