Is your company an active member of a trucking association such as the National Private Truck Council (NPTC), State Trucking Association, American Trucking Association (ATA) or another trucking association?
The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) has released a foundational new study that statistically corroborates that motor carriers actively involved in state and national membership associations are safer than both former association members and carriers who have never been association members.
It has long been assumed anecdotally that association membership supports safety through a variety of services and resources, but the necessary industry safety data and methodology had never been thoroughly assessed. This new empirical research analyzed public safety data from the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) using a series of statistical tools to confirm the relationship between association membership and safety performance.
More specifically, the research compared motor carrier MCMIS crash and violation data for trucking fleets with membership statuses categorized as Current, Former, or Never members. Carrier status data were drawn from a geographically representative sample of state trucking associations as well as from the American Trucking Associations.
The results of Welch’s Two-Sample T-Test confirm that among the three carrier groups, Current members have fewer overall crashes and violations than Former members, who also had fewer crashes and violations than Never members. Almost all results were significant at the 95 percent or 99 percent confidence levels. Due to the rarity of fatal truck crashes among all carriers, this specific crash type was not significant for either state or national membership.
“All safety stakeholders in the trucking industry are seeking strategies and solutions to improve large-truck safety,” noted Dr. Brenda Lantz, Associate Director of the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute. “This new ATRI research confirms that association membership is another important and proven safety tool for trucking companies.”
The ATRI association safety research also offers guidance on how these findings might be applicable to commercial transportation insurers, enforcement agencies, and academic researchers.
A copy of the full report is available by clicking here: https://www.mdtrucking.org/files/ATRI_SafeMembersFlyer_MD.pdf
ATRI is the trucking industry’s 501(c)(3) not-for-profit research organization, dedicated to critical research on the essential role of freight transportation in maintaining a safe, secure, and efficient transportation system.
Have you prepared your terminal facility for the upcoming Labor Day weekend?
It’s not uncommon for thieves to target truck terminals during the holidays, knowing that these sites are often unattended. To prevent theft, take extra precautions to secure your trucks and valuable items at the terminal. If your vehicles don’t have anti-siphon devices or locking caps, instruct drivers not to fill them up at the end of the day. Ensure all security alarms are functioning properly, and walk the perimeter of the lot to verify that security fencing is in good condition.
Move vehicles and other materials, such as pallets and tires, far enough away from the fence to prevent them from being used to climb over it. Consider blocking the entrance and exits to the lot to prevent vehicle theft. Over the three-day weekend, assign management personnel to randomly check the terminal. A little prevention and common sense can go a long way in deterring thieves from targeting your facility.
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Enforcement Crackdown is Now in Place!
The 2024 national enforcement mobilization "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" went into effect across the country on August 16 and will conclude on September 2, 2024. Impaired driving, one
of the deadliest and most frequently committed—yet preventable—crimes, has become a serious safety epidemic in our country.
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is September 15-21, 2024
Americans and Canadians have taken extraordinary steps to show their appreciation for the important work that professional truck drivers have done. From children handing out lunches to "I Heart Truck" signs along highways, the public has recognized the essential role truck drivers play in their lives. As we reflect on the past three years, I often wonder where we would be today if truck drivers had refused to deliver our personal protective equipment (PPE), food, medical supplies, and so much more at the onset of the COVID pandemic.
This week in September is a small way to show appreciation for the 3.5 million professional men and women who not only deliver our goods safely, securely, and on time, but also keep our highways safe. Start planning now to do something special for your drivers during this week dedicated to recognizing them.
