Large trucks were involved in over 118,000 injury-causing crashes in 2019, accounting for 10% of all fatal crashes despite being only 4% of registered vehicles. Rollovers specifically made up 4% of fatal truck accidents in 2018. The NHTSA mandated electronic stability control systems on commercial trucks and buses between 2017-2019 to help prevent rollovers and loss of control accidents. The rule was projected to prevent over 1,400 crashes, over 600 injuries, and 40-50 fatalities annually by helping to prevent 40-56% of untripped rollovers and 14% of loss of control crashes. The mandate received support from industry groups like Meritor and the American Trucking Association who believed it could

1. Truck Accidents
And Electronic Stability Control

2. 118,000
Large trucks involved in injury-causing crashes in 2019
(Source: National Safety Council)

3. Truck Accident Statistics
● The number of injuries involved in fatal crashes increased 16% between
2016 and 2019 (Source: National Safety Council)
● Large trucks represented 4% of all registered vehicles in 2019, but
accounted for 10% of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes (Source: National
Safety Council)
● Overturn (rollover) was the first harmful event in 4% of all fatal truck
accidents and 2% of nonfatal truck accidents in 2018 (Source: Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration)

4. Preventing Rollover Truck
Accidents Through
Electronic Stability Control
(ESC)

5. NHTSA Announces ESC Mandate
In June 2015, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
announced that they were mandating electronic stability control systems to be
installed on commercial trucks and buses. The rule was phased in between 2017
and 2019.

6. Projected Outcome of the NHTSA’s ESC Rule
In the NHTSA’s final rule, they projected that the ESC rule would:
● Prevent 40-56% of untripped rollover crashes and 14% of loss-of-control
crashes
● Prevent 1,424-1,759 crashes
● Prevent 505-604 injuries
● Prevent 40-49 fatalities

7. Support for the NHTSA ESC
Rule

8. “We fully endorse the NHTSA’s action,
which will ultimately make our country’s
roads a safer place for us all.” -
Stephen Hampson, Meritor

9. “We’ve long known the positive role
technology can play in making our vehicles
and our roads safer.” -
Bill Graves, American Trucking Association
(Source)