Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued regulatory guidance emphasizing that a fire or explosion in a commercial motor vehicle that results in a death, injury requiring transportation to a medical facility or the towing of the vehicle meets the definition of an accident even if there is no collision involved. The guidance appeared in the July 24 issue of the Federal Register.
Kentucky increased speed limits on most interstate highways and parkways to 70 mph from 65
mph. Notable exceptions are the congested loops around Louisville and Covington, and parkways in the mountain regions in the east.
Security Council of American Trucking Associations honored Curtis Shewchuk, chief security
officer for Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Con-way Freight, with the 2007 Leadership Award, recognizing his contributions to the council’s development.
Arkansas Trucking Association recognized Dennis Hilton of Mabelvale, Ark.-based CalArk International as Safety Executive of the Year for 2006.
New Jersey Motor Truck Association honored James Daulerio, manager of safety, compliance and training for Delanco, N.J.-based Jevic Transportation, with its 2007 Safety Director of the Year award.
Acuity Insurance and A.N. Ansay & Associates presented Bensenville, Ill.-based Central States Trucking with its 2006 Fleet Safety Award.
Fatalities from accidents involving large trucks totaled 4,995 in 2006, a decline of 245 or 4.7 percent from 2005, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced in late July. The number of truck occupants who died in those accidents remained basically unchanged, from 804 fatalities in 2005 to 805 in 2006. Injuries among occupants of large trucks fell 15 percent, while injuries among occupants of passenger vehicles in all kinds of accidents dropped 4.7 percent.
