Highway Data Shows Unsafe Trucks

Posted on Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Something to think about when you see a big rig looming up in the rear view mirror: A new analysis of federal data shows more than 28,000 motor carrier companies operating more than 200,000 trucks that don't meet minimum safety standards. The analysis found South Dakota companies had more violations than the national average.

In an effort to determine how many unsafe trucks are on the road, the American Association for Justice reviewed data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and found that thousands had safety violations. AAJ spokesman Ray De Lorenzi says these aren't minor problems.

The trucking industry says the data does not accurately reflect current vehicle safety because much of the information is more than 20 years old, and many companies faulted are no longer in business.