Study: Traffic violations may indicate propensity for future accidents

A new study conducted by the American Transportation Research Institute found that individuals who receive many traffic violations may have a higher risk of a future crash than those who do not, Fleet Owner reports.

The study examined data of more than 582,000 U.S. truck drivers between 2007 and 2009 and found a correlation between specific behaviors and convictions with the driver's risk of being involved in a truck accident. Researchers found that a "failure to use or improper use of signal" conviction increased the likelihood by nearly 96 percent.

"Truck-car crash rates are now the lowest they have ever been, but we have also picked all the ‘low hanging fruit’ by now, too," Dan Murray, lead researcher of the study, told the news source. "To keep crash rates declining in the future, it now hinges on the skills of the driver."

Trucking safety is of utmost importance for freight-hauling companies. As such, fleet managers may wish to enroll their operators in online CDL training to help them earn a license through safety courses.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that more than 3 million roadside inspections were conducted by federal authorities in 2010. These checks resulted in nearly 20 percent of trucks being rendered out-of-service for non-compliance.

By Andie Martin

Study: Traffic violations may indicate propensity for future accidents

Friday, April 22nd, 2011