NTSB Calls for Advanced Semi Truck Safety Technology After Fatal Virginia Crash

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a report on the December 2022 accident in Williamsburg, Virginia, calling for more advanced semi truck safety technology. The accident involved a semi-truck operated by Triton Logistics Incorporated, which crashed into the rear of a slower-moving bus, resulting in three deaths and multiple injuries. The NTSB investigation highlights serious issues with both driver fatigue and the lack of available safety systems in the truck.

Fatigue-Related Crash

The crash occurred on December 16, 2022, at about 1:36 a.m. The semi-truck, traveling between 65 and 70 mph with cruise control activated, failed to slow down as it approached a bus traveling at 20 to 25 mph. The truck driver did not brake or take evasive action, resulting in a violent collision. The NTSB found that the truck driver’s lack of response was due to fatigue, which was caused by excessive driving hours and lack of sleep. The report also revealed that the trucking company, Triton Logistics, created false driver accounts in its electronic logging devices (ELDs), allowing drivers to exceed federal hours-of-service (HOS) limits.

Call for Better Fatigue Management

The NTSB emphasized the importance of fatigue management programs in reducing crash risk. They recommend that all motor carriers implement comprehensive programs to educate drivers about the dangers of fatigued driving. The report noted that Triton Logistics lacked such a program, which could have helped prevent this tragic accident.

Lack of Advanced Semi Truck Safety Technology

One of the most significant findings of the report was that the semi-truck involved in the crash did not have available semi truck safety technology like automatic emergency braking (AEB) or adaptive cruise control. Although these systems were available as standard equipment on the truck-tractor, Triton Logistics opted not to purchase them. The NTSB suggests that if these systems had been installed, the collision might have been prevented or its severity reduced. They are calling for federal regulations to require that all commercial trucks be equipped with these technologies, which can significantly enhance road safety.

Bus Maintenance Issues

The NTSB also found that the bus involved in the crash had several maintenance problems, including a blocked prescreen fuel filter, which may have contributed to its slow speed. The bus operator, Futrell’s Party Adventures, lacked proper safety management practices, including vehicle maintenance and driver qualifications. The NTSB called for better guidance to new motor carriers to ensure compliance with safety regulations.

Recommendations

As part of its investigation, the NTSB issued several recommendations:

• The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) should revise regulations to require ELD providers to include audit logs showing driver logins and changes.
• States like Virginia should provide new motor carrier licensees with safety guidance, including driver fatigue management and vehicle maintenance.
• Triton Logistics should implement a system to regularly verify driver records, use onboard video recorders for driver training, and establish a fatigue management program.

The NTSB also reiterated previous recommendations to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to develop standards for forward collision avoidance systems in commercial vehicles and require onboard video recorders for trucks and buses over 10,000 pounds.

Moving Forward

This report serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by driver fatigue and the need for advanced semi truck safety technology in the trucking industry. With federal requirements for technologies like automatic emergency braking, the NTSB believes that accidents like the Williamsburg crash can be prevented in the future. Trucking companies should take proactive steps to implement fatigue management programs and equip their vehicles with available safety technologies to ensure the safety of drivers and everyone on the road.

For more information, you can read the full NTSB report.