ATRI: Truck collisions down 11.7%, most wrecks in first 8 driving hours

Total collisions per million miles traveled for all fleets decreased 11.7 percent in 2009 from 2004. Preventable collisions per million miles traveled for all fleets also decreased 30.6 percent in 2009 from 2004. Both findings were statistically significant, according to the ATRI analysis.

Total driver injuries decreased 1.6 percent for all fleets and 23 percent for TL fleets. Both findings were statistically significant.
The majority of commercial vehicle collisions (87 percent) occurred within the first eight hours of driving. A similar trend was found in an analysis of fatal truck collisions using the Trucks Involved in Fatal Accidents (TIFA) database. A review of 2007 TIFA data showed that 80 percent of fatal truck collisions occurred within the first eight hours of driving.

Nearly 70 percent of drivers used part of the 9-10 hour at least once during the month. Approximately 60 percent of drivers used part of the 10-11 hour and slightly less (52 percent) used the entire 10-11 hour. The majority of drivers (79 percent) used the 34-hour restart at least once during a month.

In general, drivers used the 34-hour restart an average of three or fewer times per month. Among TL drivers, 56 percent used the 34-hour restart three or fewer times per month; LTL, 61 percent; and specialized, 66 percent.