Trucking Groups Call on NHTSA to Examine Truck Crashworthiness Standards

ARLINGTON, VA -- American Trucking Associations and the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association together called on the federal government to begin researching how standards for crashworthiness for heavy trucks could benefit America's professional truck drivers.

"NHTSA has continuously developed crashworthiness standards for automobiles and light trucks, but to date has generally not applied crashworthiness standards to commercial trucks," the two groups wrote in a June 6 letter to David Strickland, head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "We believe there may be opportunities to enhance the survivability of professional truck drivers if appropriate, research-based, uniform standards are developed."

Specifically, ATA and OOIDA highlighted the need for improving cab structure and occupant restraints such as safety belts and airbags, strengthening windshields and doors to prevent occupant ejections, and installing more forgiving interior surfaces.

To read the full text of ATA and OOIDA's letter, please click here.