Motor vehicle fatalities decreased for a third consecutive year, according to 2019 preview summary data released by the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on October 1.
Fatalities in crashes involving at least one large truck remained relatively unchanged from 2018 (5,006) to 2019 (5,005).
Total highway fatalities declined by 2%, from 36,835 in 2018 to 36,096 in 2019.
In addition, large-truck occupant fatalities increased by 0.2%, from 890 in 2018 to 892 in 2019, compared to an 0.8% increase between 2017 and 2019.
From 2018, fatalities decreased in 35 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Large trucks, as defined by NHTSA, include both commercial and noncommercial trucks over 10,000 pounds, incorporating medium and heavy-duty pickup trucks.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requested funding for a new study on the causes of large truck crashes, last conducted from 2001 to 2003.
Information provided by USDA Grain Transportation Report.
