If those numbers hold, it would mark the 15th straight quarterly decline and stand as one of the largest drops recorded under the Fatality Analysis Reporting System.

More Travel, Fewer Fatalities

What makes the data stand out is that the decline comes at a time when travel is increasing. Preliminary figures from the Federal Highway Administration show more vehicle miles traveled, not less.

Even with that added volume, fatalities still moved lower. The decrease was not isolated either. It showed up across most of the country, with 39 states, along with Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, reporting fewer deaths.

Where Officials Are Pointing

Federal agencies have tied the shift to a mix of enforcement and broader safety efforts. Increased coordination with law enforcement has been a key part of that approach, along with targeting high-risk driving behaviors.

“In the past year alone, we’ve partnered with our incredible law enforcement officers to get dangerous foreign truck drivers off the roads and educate the public about the dangers of distracted driving, drunk driving, and driving without a seat belt,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.

There has also been attention on identifying unqualified drivers and keeping them off the road.

Continued Focus on Behavior

Alongside enforcement, agencies continue to push messaging around behaviors that lead to serious crashes. Distracted driving, impaired driving, and failure to wear a seat belt remain consistent factors in fatal incidents.

“NHTSA is doing our part by doubling down on safety strategies that reduce risky driving behaviors before they cost lives,” said NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison.

What the Numbers Suggest

These are still estimates, but the direction is clear. Fatalities are trending down even as traffic levels rise. That combination points to changes in how safety is being managed and enforced.

Whether that trend continues will depend on how those efforts hold up over time, especially with more vehicles on the road and ongoing pressure on the system.

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Why Driving Habits Matter More Than Ever

Today’s heavy-duty trucks run on sophisticated emissions controls like Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF), Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), and advanced turbocharging. These systems are more sensitive than ever to driver input, meaning your habits directly affect their operation, efficiency, and compliance with emission standards.

Short Trips: The “Silent Engine Killer”

• Incomplete Warm-Up: Modern diesels are engineered to reach an optimal, high operating temperature for effective combustion and emissions management. Short trips mean your engine and DPF rarely get hot enough, leading to incomplete combustion and excessive soot.
• DPF Clogs and Regeneration Failures: Without enough sustained heat, the DPF can’t reach the temperature needed for proper self-cleaning (“regeneration”), causing blockages, loss of power, and expensive shop time.

Do: Regularly run your truck on the open road to allow full warm-up cycles—burning off soot, moisture, and other contaminants so emissions controls work as designed.

Acceleration Patterns: How Hard You Hit the Pedal Matters

• Rapid Acceleration: While diesels love torque, persistent hard launches or aggressive throttle use increases fuel consumption, carbon buildup, and turbo wear.
• Idling vs. Load: Extended periods of low RPMs or idling can lead to incomplete fuel burn, whereas occasional mid-range throttle under load helps keep the EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) system and turbo clean.

Do: Accelerate smoothly—keeping the engine in its optimal torque band without “babied” or “redlined” operation for better emissions and engine health.

Cooling Cycles: Don’t Overlook Engine Temperature Management

• Abrupt Shutdowns: Stopping a hot engine too suddenly can cause thermal stress and shorten the life of the turbo, while also impacting components of the emissions system.
• Proper Cool Down: Allow the engine to idle briefly after long, high-load runs so coolant can cycle and temperatures normalize before shutdown.

Do: Follow manufacturer recommendations for cool-down periods—especially after hard highway pulls or heavy hauling.

Idling: Why Too Much Is a Bad Thing

• Excessive Idling: Not only does this waste fuel, but it also prevents modern aftertreatment systems from reaching necessary operating temperatures, causing buildup in the DPF and EGR systems.
• Regeneration Blockage: Cooler exhaust during idle can stop DPF regeneration processes, eventually leading to warnings and power derate.

Do: Limit idling as much as possible. Use auxiliary power units (APUs) or shut down the engine during extended waits to preserve emissions components and save fuel.

Modern Diesel Dos and Don’ts Checklist

• DOcombine regular highway driving with occasional load to maintain engine health and emissions systems.
• DOmonitor and respond to warning lights indicating emissions system needs—don’t ignore them.
• DON’Tmake a habit of frequent, short trips or excessive idling.
• DOkeep up with manufacturer-suggested cooling cycles, oil changes, and inspections—these are more vital with sensitive emissions controls.
• DON’Troutinely accelerate hard or lug the engine in high gears; both extremes cause stress and increase emissions.

The era of modern, clean diesel engines rewards truckers who understand the impact of subtle driving behaviors. Focusing on smooth acceleration, proper warm-up and cool-down, and smart trip planning pays off in more reliable performance, fewer repairs, and maximum efficiency—keeping you rolling longer and farther.

The post Fuel Dos and Don’ts: Unexpected Ways Driving Habits Affect Modern Diesel Engines appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Key Insights from the Report

Analyzing over 300 billion miles of driving data, the 2025 Road Safety Report outlines trends that demand immediate attention from fleet managers, policymakers, and cities.

Collision Trends:

After several years of decline, collision rates have climbed since 2023, increasing industry-wide by 24% between Q3 2023 and Q4 2024. However, there is a silver lining; severe collisions have decreased, with Level 1 collisions (highest severity) dropping by 6% and Level 2 collisions by 59%, thanks to technology and coaching interventions.

Risky Driving Behaviors:

The top risky behaviors remain following too closely, using handheld devices, speeding, and neglecting seat belts. While some behaviors, such as handheld device use, decreased by 9%, others, like speeding, saw a 9% increase.

Near Collisions:

Congestion has led to a 52% rise in near collisions when comparing Q4 2023 to Q4 2024.

Weather Impact:

Driving “too fast for conditions” was a major contributor to Level 1 incidents, with fog being especially hazardous, raising the likelihood of severe collisions by 2.8 times. Winter remains the riskiest season for driving.

Safer Roads Through Data and Technology

“Today’s fleets and drivers face rapidly changing risk environments,” shared Rajesh Rudraradhya, Lytx CTO. “To stay ahead, managers need real-time data insights and advanced tools to pinpoint and mitigate emerging risks.”

Lytx technology directly contributed to measurable improvements:

• 4% reduction in overall risky behaviors among equipped drivers in 2024.
• 7% decrease in time spent speeding, leading to substantial fuel savings and reduced CO2 emissions.
• An estimated $1.8 billion saved on claims costs and $521 million saved on vehicle maintenance by Lytx clients in 2024.

Holidays and High-Risk Periods

Driving risks fluctuate across days and times:

• Tuesdays are the riskiest days, while Sundays are the safest.
• Collisions peak between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., with 2 p.m. being the most dangerous time.
• Holidays, particularly New Year’s Eve, saw a 12% increase in collisions compared to regular days.

The Road Ahead

The 2025 Road Safety Report emphasizes the urgent need for fleets to adapt to evolving risks using advanced data, coaching, and technology. Experts like Peter Goldwasser of Together for Safer Roads see this data as “key to shaping smarter, more responsive safety strategies.”

By leveraging tools like those offered by Lytx, fleets can not only boost safety but also achieve cost savings and environmental benefits. For businesses navigating the complex landscape of modern road safety, insights like these are invaluable.

Image Source: Lytx
Source: The Trucker

The post Lytx’s 2025 Road Safety Report Reveals Rising Risks on the Road appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

On Wednesday, Jan. 8, FMCSA shared its plan to conduct a “Study of Warning Devices for Stopped Commercial Motor Vehicles” by publishing a notice in the Federal Register. The goal? To analyze whether warning devices significantly impact drivers’ behavior in scenarios involving parked or disabled CMVs—and, if they do, to determine how and to what extent.

“It is an experimental study that requires data collection for evaluating whether warning devices meaningfully influence crash-relevant aspects of human performance in the presence of a parked or disabled commercial motor vehicle, and if so, how and to what extent,” FMCSA explained in its announcement.

The study is set to involve a sample group of 256 drivers.

Current Regulations on CMV Warning Devices

Under existing rules, all commercial motor vehicles are required to carry warning devices. When a vehicle is stopped on the road or the shoulder—not including cases where traffic conditions prevent it—these devices must be deployed following specific guidelines. Placement depends on various factors, such as whether the roadway is straight or curved.

“These requirements follow from the basic notion that increasing the conspicuity of a parked or disabled commercial motor vehicle makes it easier to see and recognize, thereby reducing the risk of a crash involving passing motorists,” the FMCSA stated.

However, the growing presence of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology has prompted new scrutiny of these longstanding regulations.

Autonomous Vehicles and the Warning Device Debate

Back in December 2024, FMCSA rejected a request from Waymo and Aurora to exempt autonomous trucks from the current warning device requirements.

The companies proposed outfitting their autonomous trucks with mounted warning beacons on the truck cab as an alternative to deploying traditional devices like reflective triangles or flares.

FMCSA declined the application, describing the request as overly broad. Nonetheless, the agency left the door open for exemption applications focused on narrower aspects of the regulation.

Now, the FMCSA is doubling down by launching a formal investigation to determine how effective the current warning device regulations truly are.

Using Modern Tools for a Deeper Analysis

Advancements in technology are providing FMCSA with new ways to measure how drivers respond to warning devices. Tools such as sensors and eye-tracking systems can offer valuable insights into reaction times and levels of driver attention.

“FMCSA plans to implement these modern tools in a controlled experiment at a closed-course, state-of-the-art driving research facility,” the agency said. “This setup will enable the most comprehensive study of warning device effectiveness conducted to date.”

The findings could have far-reaching implications, potentially shaping future regulations around warning devices. Additionally, the data may assist FMCSA in responding to exemption requests for alternative solutions, such as those proposed by Waymo and Aurora.

“FMCSA plans to implement these modern tools in a controlled experiment at a closed-course, state-of-the-art driving research facility that will allow the most comprehensive examination of the effects of warning devices to date,” the agency wrote. “The results of the study may support future rulemaking related to warning devices and provide baseline data necessary to inform agency decisions on exemption applications for alternative warning device products.” FMCSA concluded.

Source: Land Line

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