The determinants of truck accidents

This paper examines the determinants of truck accidents in the United States using a time series data set covering the period 1970–2001. Along with other factors, the effect of the Motor Carrier Act of 1980, which deregulated the trucking industry, is examined for its impact on truck accidents. In addition, the model accounts for the effect railroad freight mileage has on truck accidents. Empirically, alcohol consumption, the unemployment rate, and railroad activity were found to have significant effects on truck accidents while deregulation of the trucking industry did not have a statistically significant adverse effect on these accidents.