FMCSA Allocates $7 Million for Nationwide Study of Fatal Heavy-Truck Crashes

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will allocate up to $7 million for a nationwide study on fatal crashes involving heavy-duty trucks. According to the FMCSA, the funding will help eligible state and local agencies collect and report detailed crash information through its Crash Causation Factors Program (CCFP).

In an official announcement released on November 3, the FMCSA stated that it plans to collect detailed information on approximately 2,000 fatal crashes across 30 states over a two-year period. Data collection is expected to begin in 2027, following a pilot study, according to the agency.

The study is designed to provide a more in-depth analysis of the circumstances surrounding fatal crashes involving heavy-duty trucks. Researchers will examine factors related to drivers, vehicles, motor carriers, and road conditions to identify patterns and potential opportunities for crash prevention.

Heavy-Duty Truck Crash Study

The most recent study examining crashes involving large trucks was conducted between 2001 and 2003 and covered 967 crashes. The new study will build on that previous research, which included both injury and fatal crashes. However, the key difference is that the new Heavy-Duty Truck Study will focus specifically on fatal crashes involving Class 7 and Class 8 trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more. According to the FMCSA, approximately 70% of large trucks involved in fatal crashes fall into these two weight classes.

The purpose of this updated research is to provide relevant information that will enable motor carriers, government agencies, researchers, and road safety organizations to develop and implement more effective crash prevention strategies.

Rather than hiring independent investigators to travel to crash scenes, the FMCSA will rely on state and local law enforcement agencies that already conduct investigations involving commercial motor vehicle crashes.

The information collected for the study will include police crash reports, post-crash inspections of commercial motor vehicles, as well as crash investigations and reconstructions. In addition, participating agencies will be required to gather supplementary data beyond what is typically required for routine crash reports and inspections.

The study will also involve data analysts responsible for reviewing, verifying, and validating the information collected before submitting it to the CCFP database.

Funding and Future Initiatives

The total funding will amount to $7 million, with individual grants of $500,000. The FMCSA expects to award approximately 30 grants. Eligible expenses include personnel costs, overtime, specialized training, crash reconstruction activities, and equipment used to collect and analyze crash data. Grant applications must be submitted no later than December 28, 2026, the FMCSA stated.

This funding will supplement the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP). In addition, the FMCSA is working with state and local agencies, as well as the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics, to collect and analyze the information.

According to the agency’s established timeline, data collection and analysis are expected to continue through 2029. The final report and a publicly accessible database containing anonymized crash information are scheduled for release in 2030. However, preliminary findings may be released before the final report is completed.