Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024:
NHTSA estimates truck-involved crash fatalities on decline
A new report released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration projects that total estimated fatalities in crashes involving large trucks were on the decline through the first half of 2024.
NHTSA defines large trucks as those with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 10,000 pounds and include both commercial and non-commercial vehicles.
Overall, NHTSA reported that an estimated 18,720 people died in all motor vehicle traffic crashes during the first half of 2024, a decrease of about 3.2% as compared to 19,330 fatalities projected to have occurred in the first half of 2023. The estimated fatality rate for the first half of 2024 is 1.17 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT), down from the projected rate of 1.21 fatalities per 100 million VMT in the first half of 2023.
Broken down into sub-categories, NHTSA found decreases almost across the board. Fatalities on rural interstates were mostly flat in the first half of 2024 compared to the first half of 2023, while urban interstate fatalities were down 8%. Fatalities in crashes occurring at night were down 4%, as were fatalities in crashes occurring on weekends.
The statistics for fatalities in crashes involving large trucks are as follows:
- Total estimated driver fatalities decreased by 3%
- Passenger fatalities decreased by 7%
- Passenger vehicle occupant fatalities decreased by 6%
- Motorcyclist fatalities increased by 1%
- Pedestrian fatalities decreased by 3%
- Pedalcyclist fatalities decreased by 1%
- Total estimated fatalities in crashes involving at least one large truck decreased by 1%
In total, there were an estimated 2,523 fatalities in crashes involving large trucks in the first half of 2024, down from 2,561 in the first half of 2023.
[Related: ELDs and highway safety: Crashes, injuries and fatalities rise post-mandate]
Love’s opens three new Speedco locations, expands truck wash network
Love's Travel Stops continues to focus on enhancing its over-the-road preventive maintenance network as it invests in building new locations and upgrading existing shops.
In recent months, Love’s opened three new Speedco facilities, rebuilt an older Love’s Truck Care shop into a full-service Speedco, and expanded its truck wash network to 11 locations in nine states.
The new and remodeled locations can be found next to Love’s stores in:
- Benson, Arizona (rebuilt and expanded)
- West Memphis, Arkansas (new truck wash)
- Wichita, Kansas (new Speedco with truck wash)
- North Lima, Ohio (new)
- Baker City, Oregon (new)
- Troy, Texas (new truck wash)
These locations add 11 truck service bays, six service trucks and five truck wash bays to Love’s network.
Love’s Truck Care and Speedco is the country’s largest over-the-road truck maintenance provider, the company said, with more than 430 locations, more than 1,400 service bays and 1,100 roadside service trucks. Love’s is also the exclusive warranty repair and campaign recall service provider for Freightliner and International trucks.
