Survey of the status of truck safety: Brazil, China, Australia, and the United States

Abstract

This report reviews the status of truck safety in four countries, Australia, Brazil, China, and the United States. The report describes the role of road freight transportation in each country; characterizes the current level of safety; and identifies the primary safety problems related to trucks within each country. Vehicle populations in Australia and the US are currently relatively similar, but both China and Brazil have a much higher reliance on motorcycles and nonmotorized transportation. Truck crash rates also vary among the countries, higher in Brazil and China, lower in the US and Australia. Primary safety issues in China and Brazil are interactions with two-wheeled vehicles and nonmotorists. Interactions with passenger cars and other light-duty vehicles are a greater issue in Australia and the US. Common issues include driver fatigue and hours of service, vehicle condition, and issues related to truck size and weight. Crash and vehicle population data available for this study varied widely in accessibility, comprehensiveness, and detail. Improved crash data are particularly important issues in China and Brazil.