Investing in Safer Roads and a Safer Industry

By Dan Horvath, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Safety Policy, American Trucking Associations

Regardless of a carrier’s size – whether it is a one-truck operator or one of the largest fleets in North America – safety is at the forefront of what the trucking industry is about.

The industry’s commitment to safety is a core value, something responsible drivers, fleet managers, safety directors and executives think about every single day. But more than that, it is something that carriers across the country are investing in.

In December 2023, American Trucking Associations (ATA) released the results of a broad survey to see how much the trucking industry is investing in improving highway safety, and the answer, unsurprisingly, is quite high. ATA’s survey found that the trucking industry spends $14 billion a year on technology enhancements, training, driver incentives, maintenance and regulatory compliance, all to reduce crashes.

This survey, which examined a broad cross section of the industry, underscores just how committed this industry is to reducing crashes and making our highways safer, a commitment that is growing with each passing year.

According to ATA’s Safety Spend Survey (www.trucking.org/news-insights/ new-study-underlines-trucking-industryscommitment-safety), the industry’s $14 billion investment in 2022 represents a 40% increase from the previous survey, conducted in 2015. ATA surveyed a variety of motor carriers, from fleets with just a handful of trucks to carriers with more than 10,000 power units on the road, running the full breadth of the industry. In total, companies responding to the survey accounted for almost 170,000 drivers and nearly 160,000 trucks.

The $14 billion figure is not the result of fleets simply spending to comply with state and federal safety rules; it is a commitment by motor carriers of all sizes to go above and beyond to improve safety. It represents a tangible demonstration that safety is not just a slogan for our industry; it is our mission. While others talk about their commitment to safety, the trucking industry is doing the work — investing in life-saving technology and training every day.

ATA demonstrates its commitment to safety in more than just our industry’s investments. We were a First Mover in committing to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy. We are a leading voice pushing for data-backed strategies and regulations that will reduce crashes and make the roadways – our industry’s shop floor –safer for all motorists, not just truck drivers.

As part of our effort to improve safety, we appreciate the partnership we have with CVSA, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and countless other organizations all working toward the same goal of reducing crashes.