American Trucking Association Responds to Latest NHTSA Report on Traffic Fatalities

07/26/96

HIGHWAYS DEADLIER, TRUCKING SAFER; NEW HIGHWAY SAFETY NUMBERS RELEASED

WASHINGTON, July 25 -- Traffic fatalities increased on
U.S. highways last year, according to statistics released by the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  Deaths resulting from
traffic-related accidents rose from 40,676 in 1994 to 41,798 in 1995.

At the same time, the number of fatalities involving large trucks fell last
year.  Total fatalities from truck-related accidents were 4,903 in 1995,
down from 5,144 in 1994.

"The latest statistics prove that America's roads have sadly become more
dangerous," said American Trucking Association (ATA) president and CEO
Thomas J. Donohue.  "For trucking to continue to improve its safety
performance, especially under these circumstances, is a significant
achievement.

"Forty-nine hundred fatalities involving trucks is forty-nine hundred too
many.  And while police reports consistently show two-thirds or more of
fatal car-truck accidents to be the fault of the car driver, our industry
will continue to strengthen its commitment to safety.

"But the real message behind these preliminary numbers is this: it's time
for the motoring public and all those who profess a commitment to highway
safety to focus increased scrutiny where it really belongs.

"The trucking industry believes that losing more than 41,000 men, women and
children annually on America's roads is a national disgrace.  Whether they
sit on a motorcycle or behind the wheel of any vehicle, drivers who speed,
who drink and drive, or who behave recklessly should not be tolerated on
our highways."