Gearing Up for Safety: Motor Carrier Safety in a Competitive Environment

摘要

Intercity bus and commercial trucking industries are governed by Federal motor carrier regulations, and the Motor Carrier Act of 1980 eliminated many economic restrictions limiting entry to the industry. Federal safety regulations remain basically unchanged, however, and were expanded gradually in range and coverage during the 1980s. Despite this, the number of highway accidents involving heavy trucks climbed during the first half of the decade. Although many studies on the impacts of deregulation have been undertaken, questions have lingered about the adequacy of existing Federal safety policies and programs. The Office of Technology Assessment attempted to determine how well existing safety policies, regulations, and technologies meet the government's responsibility for ensuring safety in the motor carrier industry. The report contains the results of that analysis. A review of critical intergovernmental issues for the Department of Transportation and State Governments has been added to the basic questions about the adequacy of Federal standards and programs. The comprehensive look at motor carrier safety also includes the economic framework of the industry as it affects operations, an analysis of safety data, and a review of research and development needs.