In a sobering revelation, a recent report from the Truck Safety Coalition has shed light on the deadliest states for truck crashes in the United States. As the statistics paint a grim picture of truck-related fatalities, the coalition is calling upon the federal government to take decisive steps to curb this alarming trend.

Analyzing the Data:

The Truck Safety Coalition's "Deadliest Truck Crash States" report, released last week, ranks states based on the number of fatalities per 100,000 population in 2021. The findings are a stark reminder of the urgency of addressing this critical issue. The states in the coalition's "Deadliest Dozen" list, along with the number of truck crashes per 100,000 of population, are as follows:

1. New Mexico - 4.2

2. Arkansas - 3.8

3. Mississippi - 3.6

4. Montana - 3.4

5. Oklahoma - 3.4

6. Wyoming - 3.3

7. Alabama - 3.0

8. Louisiana - 2.9

9. Nebraska - 2.9

10. Kentucky - 2.8

11. South Carolina - 2.8

12. Texas - 2.7

To put these numbers in perspective, the national average stands at 1.7. These rankings are based on data from the National Center for Statistics and Analysis at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

A Call to Action:

In response to these alarming statistics, the Truck Safety Coalition is making a fervent call to action. The organization is urging Congress and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to take immediate steps to reduce the number of truck crashes on American roads.

"The Truck Safety Coalition calls on Congress and the US Department of Transportation to aggressively pursue commonsense solutions to reduce truck crash violence on our roads," the organization declared in a statement.

Key Steps for Safer Roads:

The Truck Safety Coalition has outlined several crucial steps that it believes are essential to enhancing road safety and curbing truck-related accidents. These steps include:

1. Automatic Emergency Braking Rule: The Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration must swiftly finalize the automatic emergency braking rule for all classes of Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs).

2. Speed Limiter Rule: DOT/Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration must expedite the completion of the speed limiter rule for CMVs.

3. Side Underride Guard Impact Testing: Congress must mandate DOT/NHTSA to conduct side underride guard impact testing, aligning with the intent of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

4. Funding for Lifesaving Work: Congress should allocate full funding to DOT, allowing it to carry out its essential work without unsafe riders that hinder FMCSA from implementing safety provisions for teen truckers in the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Program.

5. Knowledge Exam for New Motor Carriers: DOT/FMCSA must promptly require new motor carriers to pass a knowledge exam, demonstrating their understanding and ability to implement Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) essential for safe operation, particularly for those transporting hazardous materials.

While these proposed actions aim to enhance safety on our roads, it's worth noting that some have faced resistance from the trucking industry and drivers. Nevertheless, the urgency of addressing the alarming truck crash statistics demands immediate attention and concerted efforts from all stakeholders involved.

The call for action is clear: It's time to make our roads safer for everyone and reduce the devastating toll of truck-related accidents on our communities.