Large Truck Crashes and Aggressive Ticketing

Large trucks account for a disproportionately large share of traffic deaths based on miles traveled. The fatal crash rate for large trucks is 50 percent greater than the rate for all vehicles on the roads.

Fatalities from large truck crashes have increased approximately 10 percent from 1995 through 1998, moving up from 4,918 deaths in 1995 to 5,374 deaths in 1998. Large trucks - including tractor-trailers, single-unit trucks and certain heavy cargo vans with gross weight more than 10,000 pounds - account for a disproportionately large share of traffic deaths based on miles traveled. The fatal crash rate for large trucks is 2.6 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled more than 50 percent greater than the rate for all vehicles on the roads.

Surveys indicate that many highway motorists are intimidated by the mere size of a truck or bus. When you combine this perception with a highway crash and the resulting roadway congestion, the public image of the motor carrier industry takes a beating no matter who caused the crash. By driving safely to prevent crashes, you can improve that image and save time, money, and, most importantly, lives.

When driving on the highway, motorists are at a serious disadvantage if involved in a crash with a larger vehicle. In crashes involving large trucks, the occupants of a car, usually the driver, sustain 78 percent of reported fatalities. In order to keep you and your family safe when driving around large trucks and buses, you should be extra cautious. Sharing the road with larger vehicles can be dangerous if you are not aware of their limitations. Read the car driver safety tips to help you prevent an accident and minimize injuries and fatalities if one does occur.

To help reduce crashes and fatalities, Congress directed the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to work together to educate motorists on how to share the road safely with commercial motor vehicles (CMVs).

The result of this government collaboration was the development of the Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks (TACT) program—a high-visibility traffic enforcement program that uses communication, enforcement, and evaluation activities to reduce CMV-related crashes, fatalities, and injuries.

In the fall of 2004, Washington was selected as the first pilot State for the TACT program. Based on the success of the Washington State TACT program and other traffic enforcement programs such as Click It or Ticket, FMCSA encourages additional States to undertake TACT programs on roadways with injuries and fatalities resulting from crashes between cars and trucks.
The TACT program combines outreach, education, and evaluation with targeted enforcement activities to raise awareness among car and truck drivers about safe driving behaviors. Unsafe driving behaviors may include, but are not limited to: unsafe lane changes, tailgating, failing to signal lane changes, failing to yield the right of way, speeding, and aggressive driving (a combination of two or more behaviors).


LARGE TRUCK CRASH FACTS

* 5,374 people were killed in crashes involving large trucks in 1998, representing thirteen percent of all traffic fatalities. Of these, 78 percent were occupants of another vehicle, 14 percent were large truck occupants and 8 percent were non-occupants. An additional 123,000 people were injured in those crashes. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA)
* In 1997, large trucks made up three percent of all registered vehicles and seven percent of all vehicle miles traveled. Yet, large trucks constituted nine percent of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes, and four percent of all vehicles involved in injury and property-damage-only crashes that year. (NHTSA, 1999)
* In 1998, large trucks were more likely to be involved in a fatal multiple-vehicle crashes opposed to a single-vehicle crash than were passenger vehicles (84 percent of all large trucks in fatal crashes, compared with 62 percent of all passenger vehicles). (NHTSA, 1999)
* One out of eight traffic crash fatalities in 1998 was the result of a collision involving a large truck. (NHTSA, 1999)
* Most of the fatal crashes involving large trucks occur in rural areas (67 percent), during the day (68 percent) and on weekdays (80 percent). (NHTSA, 1999)
* A loaded tractor-trailer requires 20-40 percent further stopping distance than a car. With an empty trailer, the discrepancy between the truck and the car is even greater. (NHTSA, 1999)
* Of the trucks with out-of-service violations, more than one-third of them have problems with brakes. (Federal Highway Administration, 1998)
* All new tractors and trailers are required to have anti-lock brakes. Anti-lock braking systems are effective in preventing wheel lock and loss of steering in emergency stopping, especially on wet roads.
* Federal regulations allow drivers of large trucks to drive up to 16 hours a day. However, drivers under the regulations can compile 60 hours in less than five days by alternating ten hours of maximum permitted continuous driving with the minimum eight hours off duty. Surveys reveal that many drivers of large trucks violate the regulations on hours of service. Studies also show that driver fatigue plays a role in large truck crashes and that drivers are more likely to crash after many long hours of driving. (IIHS) The Department of Transportation is currently considering a revision of these hours-of-service rules.
* Almost 30 percent of large truck drivers involved in fatal crashes in 1998 had at least one prior conviction for speeding, compared to slightly less than 20 percent of the passenger vehicle drivers in fatal crashes. (NHTSA, 1999)

Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgeable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable used cars in Austin and the surrounding area and is known as one of the used cars for sale in Austin. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.

Preparing for your Road Trip

It is that time of year for a road trip. Whether it is you and your friends or the whole family, there are some things to consider before driving off into the sunset. With a little time and pre-road trip preparation, you can save yourself some potential problems and big bucks.

To start, take your car in for some all-over maintenance. Things to have checked include:

1. Wiper Blades - Inspect the condition of the blade material (it should be soft and pliable) for cracks or separation from the blade retainer.

2. Lights - Check the turn signals, headlights and brake lights, making sure they operate properly. It is a good idea to have the headlights checked for proper alignment in order to have optimum lighting and to prevent the “blinding” of oncoming drivers.

3. Tires - Check tires for excessive or uneven wear and tire pressure. It’s important to check the tire pressure when the tires are cold. The recommended tire pressure provided by the vehicle and tire manufacturers are designed to compensate for the increase in tire pressure caused by the rise in temperature of the tire when it is rolling down the highway.

4. Fluid Levels - Lift the hood and check the engine oil, automatic transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, radiator coolant, and windshield washer fluid levels. Top off if necessary.

5. Belts & Hoses - Check hoses for proper fit, leaks, brittleness, loose clamps, and softness in the elbow areas. As for the belts, check for alignment, glazing, adjustment, and tearing and cracking. Replace if necessary.

6. Air Conditioning - Test the A/C system to see that it is working and cooling the vehicle down in a reasonable time. Also, inspect the refrigerant lines for evidence of leaks. Remember, on most late-model vehicles, the defroster system utilizes the air conditioning for more efficient defrosting and defogging.

7. Battery Connections - Check / clean battery posts and cable terminals for corrosive buildup. White fuzz that surrounds the cable terminal ends at the battery posts can easily identify a corrosive condition. Cleaning or removal of the white fuzz requires the removal of the cable terminals after washing them down with a baking soda and water solution. The best cleaning results can then be achieved by using a battery post and cable terminal-cleaning tool. Performing this small maintenance activity will ensure optimum performance from the vehicle’s electrical system.

8. Fluid Leaks - Examine the ground where you park your vehicle for leaks. Any fluid residue found should be examined for the type of fluid (gas, engine or transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, radiator coolant, windshield washer fluid), and the leak repaired immediately to avoid any problems.

9. Exhaust Leaks - Listen / look for leaks from the exhaust system, and if something seems marginal, have the system checked by a professional mechanic / muffler shop prior to leaving for your trip. The life you save may be your own, as the gases escaping from the system are very deadly.

10. Brakes - Test-drive the vehicle for brake response and feel. Listen for noises (high-pitched squeal, grinding or clunking). Look for fluid leaks from flexible brake hoses and steel brake lines. If you feel your mechanical expertise is limited in this area, I would recommend you have a professional look at your brakes to advise you on the condition of the brake friction material, drums, rotors, and the hydraulic system. It is important that the vehicle always be prepared to stop regardless of the driving conditions.

Once your car is in top shape, make sure you have a basic emergency kit on board. The kit’s contents could be dependent on where you are going. If you are heading off to the desert in the summer you will want extra water. Going north where there is snow, take blankets and snow chains. But when it comes to the basics, your emergency kit should include:

1. Assortment of Combination Wrenches, Screwdrivers, and Pliers
2. Flashlight / Spare Batteries for Flashlight
3. Roadside Flares / Battery Operated Roadside Marker Lights (If you don’t like playing with fire)
4. First Aid Kit
5. Battery Jumper Cables
6. Blanket, Food, and Something to Drink (In case you’re stuck for awhile)
7. Cell phone charger

Last, once everything is in order, the most important thing to prepare for on your road-trip is the right music. Maybe it won’t keep you safe, but it sure will make everything much more enjoyable.

Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgeable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV’s. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable used cars in Austin and the surrounding area and is known as one of the bad credit car dealers Austin. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.