The FMCSA has embarked on a years-long effort to conduct a detailed data collection and analysis effort to better understand large truck and bus crashes. The Crash Causal Factors Program (CCFP) has three primary objectives: 1) Identify the key factors that contribute to crashes involving CMVs; 2) Inform countermeasures to prevent these crashes; and 3) Establish a foundation for continued data collection, sharing, and analysis. STC is excited about this initiative, but will it make a difference?

For those of you who have been around for a while like us STCers, you may remember the Large Truck Crash Causation Study. This comprehensive first-of-its-kind study by FMCSA, NHTSA and the states investigated nearly 1,000 injuries and fatal crashes involving large trucks from 2001-2003. The CCFP expands on this study and is being conducted in three phases. Phase 1 is underway and will include an investigation and analysis of 2,000 fatal crashes involving class 7 and 8  trucks, from 30 states over 2 years of data collection.   Congress has allocated $30 million in funding for this effort. The data collection will take place from 2026-2028, and the final report from Phase 1 will be delivered in 2029. Pending funding availability and appropriations from Congress, Phase 2 will address medium-duty trucks (Classes 3-6), and Phase 3 will address buses.

It is STC’s view that this work is long overdue. The LTCCS provided very important and insightful findings related to the large truck crash picture, much of which still is applicable today. However, industry and roadway travel has changed significantly in the last 20+ years. And, despite many advancements in onboard safety technologies, the number of fatalities in large truck crashes has increased. We also know from other research done over the years that in multi-vehicle crashes between large trucks and cars, approximately 70 percent of the time these crashes are caused primarily from the actions of the 4-wheelers. So, in addition to the study helping with developing CMV countermeasure strategies, the CCFP could also help to corroborate and substantiate the influence of the 4-wheelers and identify opportunities for improvement.

We are hopeful that the findings from the CCFP will go a long way to give us a more granular understanding of the large truck crash picture. Through advancements in safety technologies like on board cameras, those in industry that have adopted these solutions have come to understand much more about what happens on the road every day, and more importantly, have acted on it. Police Accident Reports are only as good as the information the investigating officer has at his or her disposal. The CCFP will provide a much richer data set from which to conduct these analyses, the result of which will hopefully aid law enforcement, regulators, industry, insurers and others in fine tuning regulations and enforcement efforts. This will help motor carriers develop increasingly effective crash prevention strategies and programs. STC also believes that we should not have to wait another 25 years for the next one. This study should be a routine and ongoing responsibility of our federal government to help advance safety on our roadways.