Trucking Accidents Expert Witnesses & DOT On Safety

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Trucking accidents expert witnesses may testify on issues including federal motor carrier safety regulations, crashworthiness, truck maintenance, hours of service, and associated matters. In Safety Is Good Business-Crashes Hurt Your Bottom Line, the US Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration writes:

The good news is that many crashes are preventable. For example:

In 1997, 22% of large truck fatal crashes involving more than one vehicle were speeding-related. [Speeding Study]

In 2003, about 2% of drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) used controlled substances, and 0.2% used alcohol (0.04 or higher blood alcohol content) while performing their duties. [Drug and Alcohol Survey]

5.5% of fatal truck crashes are caused by driver fatigue. [Hours of Service News Release]

A 2006 study found that only 59% of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers wear safety belts. In 2005, of the 696 CMV drivers who died in truck crashes, 344 were not wearing safety belts. [Safety Belt Studies]

Research has shown that there is a significant relationship between driver job change rate (turnover) and crash involvement. [Driver Retention]

Read more: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety-security/good-business/index.htm.