GAO: Truck Safety Plan Not Working

The Federal Highway Administration’s efforts to crack down on the motor carriers with the worst safety records are not working, according to federal auditors.

The officials, in a report for Congress, cited decreased enforcement efforts by the agency, poor data collection and a greater emphasis on working with trucking to reduce accidents.

According to the General Accounting Office, which prepared the report, FHWA’s approach to trucking safety is a contributing factor in a 20% increase in truck-related deaths over the past five years.

The independent watchdog agency said that federal efforts are among the factors, including driver behavior and traffic patterns, that affect truck safety.

The report comes in the midst of an ongoing debate in Washington over whether to move responsibility for trucking safety out of FHWA to another agency. Currently, that responsibility rests with the agency’s Motor Carrier and Highway Safety business unit, formerly known as the Office of Motor Carriers.

For the full story, see the March 8 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.