Best Highway Safety Practices: A Survey About Safety Management Practices Among the Safest Motor Carriers

Corsi, Thomas M.; Barnard, Richard E. · 2002 · ROSA P / United States. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

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Summary

This study, conducted by the Supply Chain Management Center at the University of Maryland for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), investigates the safety management practices of the motor carrier industry’s top safety performers. The research aims to identify specific policies and programs used by these leaders to provide guidance for other carriers seeking to improve their safety records. The study builds upon previous reports profiling the industry’s structure, safety performance, and financial linkages, focusing specifically on the operational strategies of high-performing firms. The methodology involved identifying "best safety performers" using FMCSA’s Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) and SafeStat data, combined with expert judgment from FMCSA Division Administrators. Carriers were stratified by size (small, medium, large) and commodity type. A final screening ensured respondents met strict safety thresholds, including crash rates of 0.25 or less per power unit and low out-of-service rates for vehicles and drivers. The analysis is based on survey responses from 148 carriers, categorized into small (1–24 power units), medium (25–94 power units), and large (>94 power units) groups. The findings reveal that safety leaders prioritize safety over cost and customer service concerns, fostering an environment of open communication where employees freely raise safety issues. In hiring, carriers heavily weigh past driving records, specifically the absence of chargeable crashes and alcohol or drug violations, over demographics or training history. Over 90% of carriers utilize drug testing, driving record reviews, and on-road tests to assess applicant risk. Regarding training, nearly 90% of carriers require pre-service and in-service programs, with a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance and in-vehicle, on-road evaluation. Large carriers are more likely to use computerized equipment maintenance programs, while small carriers frequently outsource maintenance due to limited resources. To reinforce behavior, most carriers employ both reward systems (such as promotions and public recognition) and disciplinary actions, with termination and suspension viewed as the most effective disciplinary measures. Additionally, carriers widely use speed regulators and engine diagnostics to monitor driver performance and manage fatigue. The significance of this research lies in its detailed documentation of best practices that correlate with superior safety outcomes. By outlining specific strategies in hiring, training, monitoring, and maintenance, the study provides a blueprint for other motor carriers to emulate. The results suggest that a comprehensive safety culture, supported by rigorous hiring standards, continuous training, and proactive vehicle maintenance, is central to achieving high safety performance. This information supports FMCSA’s goal of enhancing highway safety by encouraging industry-wide adoption of these proven management practices.

Key finding

Safety leaders prioritize applicants with no chargeable crashes and prior dismissals for alcohol or drugs, while utilizing a combination of safety awards and disciplinary actions to reinforce safe driving behavior.

Methodology

survey

Sample size: 148

Provenance

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Topics

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• bus coach
• fleet safety
• truck driver fatigue

Information type

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• Applied Guidance: countermeasure evaluation
• Empirical Findings: observational prevalence