FMCSA crash preventability efforts open accident fault discussion

Sources: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md.; CP staff

Under a pilot for its 24-month or longer Crash Preventability Program Demonstration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is accepting truck owner or operator requests for data reviews (RDR)—plus supporting documents, photos or video footage—when accidents entail commercial motor vehicles being struck a) in the rear; b) by a motorist driving under the influence or in the wrong direction; c) while legally stopped or parked; d) by an individual committing or attempting to commit suicide by stepping or driving in front of the truck; or, e) by cargo or equipment from another vehicle. The program is also open to RDR in the case of a commercial motor vehicle sustaining damage after striking an animal in the roadway or being involved in a crash attributable to infrastructure failure, falling trees, rocks or other debris.

Crash involvement is a strong indicator of future crash risk, FMCSA notes. The Crash Preventability Demonstration Program allows the agency to gather data to examine the feasibility, costs, and benefits of making preventability determinations on certain crash types. Staff will use the information to evaluate if preventability determinations improve the agency’s ability to identify the highest-risk motor carriers. Additional information on the program is posted here.