Trucking Accidents Expert Witnesses & DOT On Safety

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.