The rise of trucking accidents

There were FMCSA stats mentioned here, which seem to show a few thousand more crashes for trucks on average during the first half of this year than last year (which was higher than the previous year too). So, unless you think this kind of ELD learning curve would not go beyond the first half of the year, the crashes would be trending upward.

The progress report also shows that they were higher for the first three months of the year, than the previous year (which had a few thousand less at three months). This year shows approximately the same number of crashes per month in the first quarter as the following three months (up to the six month point).

 

According to the FMCSA it's at least twice that distance: "A fully loaded truck traveling in good road conditions at highway speeds needs a distance of nearly two football fields to stop".
Long Stopping Distances

Sight distance at night would be an issue too. "This section notes that one can see 250 feet with low beams and about 250-500 feet with high beams. The manual advises that speed should be adjusted to keep stopping distance within sight distance to have sufficient time to see and avoid hazards."
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/NTSB Report for 08-13 - 08-19.pdf

 

Large Trucks

Calendar Year 2017
(Jan 1, 2017-Jun 30, 2017)

Crashes: 71,130
Fatalities: 2,084
Injuries: 34,447

CY 2018
(01/01/2018-06/30/2018)

Crashes: 79,828
Fatalities: 2,128
Injuries: 38,029

 

How do those numbers stack up against vehicle miles traveled for the same period?

 

I think it depends on how large the print is.

 

Looking at two diffrent numbers, and honestly I can't tell which is true.

From your second link the total wrecks in 2017 are 153,662 almost double what the first link claims.

Then nothing has stats adjusted for miles driven, which is the most import metric when talking how something has affected safety.

 

Oops. Looks like I didn't see the first link is first 6 months also. Thanks for that.
Finally something that has a comparison.

Really isn't looking good for the year, but I still would love to see it compared to miles drove, or even registered vehicles.

Still two different numbers and gotta wonder why. Take a look at 2016.
The first link shows total crashes at 150,365 and second link is 151,273.

FARS data on those pages are worse. They claim to be pulling the same data...
2016 fatalities 4,451 vs 4,332
2015 fatalities 4,418 vs 4,111

 

And you are neglecting the fact passenger vehicle crashes are also trending up.

You can not look at crash numbers as an indicator in a vacuum. Better economy=more people on roads taking trips=equal more crashes.

That is why VMT is a factor in seeing trends.

 

If they would profile who is causing the accidents you might find the answers but that would be considered racist.