For many, trucking may seem like a straightforward process—pick up a load from the shipper and deliver it to the receiver. However, the 3.6 million U.S. professionals working in the industry know there’s much more to it. No two trucking operations are exactly alike, though many share common characteristics. Factors such as the type of freight hauled, customer requirements, equipment used, and service areas all contribute to unique operational challenges. Additionally, a motor carrier’s customer base, financial stability, company culture, and management approach all influence overall performance and safety.

Safety Challenges in Trucking

With these unique operational factors come specific safety challenges in complying with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). While the industry has made significant strides in improving safety, statistics still highlight areas for concern. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 4,714 fatalities resulted from large truck collisions in 2021—an alarming 17% increase from 2020.

To better understand the causes of these crashes, the FMCSA and NHTSA conducted the Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS), analyzing 141,000 large truck crashes. The study identified three key factors contributing to these incidents: driver, vehicle, and environmental conditions.

The Role of the Driver in Crash Prevention

The study categorized driver-related crash causes into four main areas:

• Non-Performance – The driver was physically impaired due to fatigue, a medical condition, or another disabling factor.
• Recognition – The driver was distracted, inattentive, or failed to properly assess the driving situation.
• Decision – The driver made poor choices, such as driving too fast for conditions, misjudging other vehicles' speeds, or following too closely.
• Performance – The driver panicked, overcompensated, or lost control of the vehicle.

These findings reinforce the critical role drivers play in both accident causation and prevention. Recognizing this, FMCSA is working on the Beyond Compliance program, an initiative aimed at rewarding motor carriers that exceed minimum safety standards.

Beyond Compliance: Recognizing Safety Excellence

As part of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act of 2015, the Beyond Compliance program provides benefits, such as improved Safety Measurement System (SMS) scores, to motor carriers that:

1. Implement advanced safety equipment
2. Utilize enhanced driver fitness measures
3. Adopt fleet safety management tools and programs
4. Meet additional safety standards set by the FMCSA
    

How to Evaluate Your Compliance

To ensure safe and efficient operations, motor carriers must regularly assess their compliance with FMCSA regulations. The Carrier Compliance Questionnaire is a valuable tool designed to help companies evaluate their safety policies, identify gaps, and implement improvements.

While the questionnaire serves as guidance, each motor carrier is responsible for adhering to all FMCSRs and Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs).

For more information and access to the Carrier Compliance Questionnaire, visit the Motor Carrier Toolbox at acuity.com/mctb or check out FMCSA’s resources.