SAFETY IMPLICATIONS OF STRUCTURAL CHANGES OCCURRING IN THE U.S. MOTOR CARRIER INDUSTRY

At the present time, the deregulated motor carrier industry and highway safety are on a collision course. Structural changes resulting from deregulation of the industry have produced a combination of rapidly aging equipment operated by underpaid and overworked drivers, many of whom are not intellectually or emotionally qualified for what they are doing and these changes are threatening the safe operation of motor carrier equipment on the highways and endangering the lives of motorists and truckers alike. There is a need for positive action by the safety groups and responsible motor carriers to bring order out of chaos and there is a need to do it now if we are to prevent catastrophic incidents on our highways. There is a need for a willingness to consider more productive articulated combinations in exchange for: (1) stringent licensing procedures for all drivers requiring a demonstrated ability to handle the specific type of equipment to be driven and the specific commodities to be handled--particularly in the area of hazardous materials; (2) total support for an expanded specific items inspection program throughout the states designed to substantially raise the maintenance quality of all trucks operating over the highways; (3) support for a program in all states designed to identify and shutdown the individual driver who is exceeding "hours of service" limits; and (4) an agreement to limit two-unit combinations of tractor and semi-trailer to a maximum length of 60 feet.

• Corporate Authors:

  AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

  8111 Gatehouse Road
  Falls Church, VA  United States  22047
• Authors:
  • Baker, F
• Publication Date: 1985-3

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 32 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Deregulation; Driver licensing; Hazardous materials; Highway safety; Inspection; Length; Motor carriers; Motor vehicles; Tractor trailer combinations; Trailers; Truck drivers; Trucking; Vehicle length; Vehicle maintenance
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Freight Transportation; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Motor Carriers; Safety and Human Factors; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00453203
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-039 370
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Feb 28 1986 12:00AM