LARGE TRUCK CRASHES Michigan Traffic Safety Summit East Lansing, Michigan March 13, 2007 PRESENTED BY: Capt. Robert R. Powers Commanding Officer Motor Carrier Division Michigan State Police

 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) - Large truck crash causation study (LTCCS) - Large truck crash causation study (LTCCS)  Evaluated 967 serious truck crashes, 181,000 total crashes   Cost of study $18 million  Data collected: - 17 states participated, including Michigan - 17 states participated, including Michigan - In Michigan: Genesee, Muskegon, Washtenaw - In Michigan: Genesee, Muskegon, Washtenaw - Up to 1,000 data elements collected in each crash - Up to 1,000 data elements collected in each crash  First nation-wide examination of all pre-crash factors

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LTCCS  Previously held belief – car driver at fault 70% of the time.  LTCCS finding – car driver at fault 56% of the time.  Driver (both car and truck) factors/error overwhelmingly the cause of truck crashes.  Other factors such as equipment failure (10.1%), engineering (16%) and road condition (13%) seldom a causation factor.

Continued CONCLUSION: More focus must be given to the truck driver.  Speed, fatigue, prescription drug use are significant factors for both car and truck drivers.

TOP FIVE CRASH TYPES REAR END (23.1%) Ran off roadway/lane usage (17.8%) Side swipe/same direction (10.3%) Rollover (8.9%) Turning/into path (8%)

TOP FIVE TRUCK RELATED CRITICAL EVENTS Over the lane/ran off roadway (32.1%) Loss of control (28.6%) Other motor vehicle in travel lane (21.7%) Turning/intersection (10.3%) Pedestrian/bicycle/other (2.5%)

TOP FIVE TRUCK RELATED CRITICAL REASONS Driver decision (38%) Driver recognition (28.4%) Driver non-performance (11.6%) Vehicle factor (10.1%) Driver performance (9.2%)

TOP FIVE TRUCK RELATED ASSOCIATED FACTORS Brake failure (29.4%) Traffic flow interruption (28.0%) Prescription drug use (26.3) Speed too fast for conditions (22.9%) Unfamiliar with roadway (21.6%)

CONSTRUCTION ZONE CRASHES  50 percent increase in work zone fatalities between 1997 and  24 percent of fatal crashes in work zones involve a large truck.  Most work zone crashes occur: - on weekdays - on weekdays - during daylight and between noon and - during daylight and between noon and 3 p.m. 3 p.m.

Continued  Merging process is especially problematic for drivers of large trucks.  Large trucks are over represented in work zone crashes. - Large trucks = 10.3% of all registered - Large trucks = 10.3% of all registered vehicles. vehicles. - Large trucks = 16.1% of total motor vehicle - Large trucks = 16.1% of total motor vehicle miles traveled. miles traveled. - Large trucks = 24% of all fatal work zone - Large trucks = 24% of all fatal work zone crashes. crashes.

MICHIGAN SPECIFIC FACTS Michigan domiciled carriers are over- represented in Michigan truck crashes – percent higher percent higher. Michigan has higher percentage of trucks 10, ,200 pounds involved in crashes – percent higher percent higher. Michigan has higher crash involvement by dump trucks, doubles, auto transporters.

Continued: Canadian trucks account for only 2 percent of truck crashes in Michigan. 65 percent of truck crashes occur on two lane roads.

Michigan Truck/Bus Crash Statistics by Calendar Year Total Crashes 15,64116,69616,51816,78917,69920,085 Fatal Crashes Percentage of Crashes with Fatalities.8%.7%.6%.8%.6%.8% Injury Crashes 2,8233,0703,0313,1333,0923,846 Percentage of Crashes with Injuries 18%18%18%19%17%19% Persons Killed Persons Injured 3,8924,1564,2404,3894,2885,360

CONCLUSION & COUNTER MEASURES More resources must be directed to commercial vehicle enforcement. More focus on driver behavior (both car and truck drivers).

RESOURCES State Police Motor Carrier Division can Provide:  Commercial vehicle enforcement awareness training.  Assistance with truck crash investigations - Post crash inspection of vehicle - Post crash inspection of vehicle - Evaluation of compliance with hours of service - Evaluation of compliance with hours of service regulations regulations - Evaluation of compliance with State and - Evaluation of compliance with State and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations

Continued:  Assistance with hazardous materials incidents.  Special investigation of motor carrier complaints and incidents.  Specialized/advanced CMV training. - Trucks and terrorism - Trucks and terrorism - CMV drug interdiction - CMV drug interdiction

QUESTIONS ???????? Additional information:  