In contrast to public concern over "killer trucks", large truck fatality and accident rates in the United States are falling, namely: (1) a fatality rate from 3.64/10 (super 8) km in 1976 to 2.31 in 1989; and (2) an accident rate from 2.20/10 (super 6) km in 1979 to 1.53 in 1989. Large truck occupant fatalities decreased 24% from 1976 to 1989, as safety belt use increased from 6% to 40% (and up to 56% in 1991). But the fatality rate remains 70% higher than the rate for passenger cars, because the mass of a truck puts occupants in other vehicles at greater risk. Double trailer combinations are not over represented in fatal accidents, but bobtail tractors are. Large trucks are one-fourth as likely to be involved in a fatal accident on limited-access highways as on other highways, and one-third as likely to have a fatal accident in daytime travel as at night. (A)
Samenvatting