One safety problem stands out fast. FMCSA found that 26% of large truck crashes involved improper lane changes, and 71% of large truck crashes involved more than one vehicle. This article pulls together the latest truck transportation statistics on safety, costs, technology, labor, and emissions.
Key Takeaways
- FMCSA reports 26% of large truck crashes involved improper lane change (2022)
- In 2023, the U.S. had 2.7 million drug-related fatalities (context for distracted driving/health risks)
- Over-the-road truck fatalities among all driver types were 4,200 in 2022 (NHTSA FARS drivers)
- A 2020 study found 15.0% lower fuel consumption for fleets using eco-driving compared with baseline driving (meta-analysis of trial results)
- A 2022 study estimated that connected vehicle systems could reduce crash frequency by 20% for certain scenarios
- In 2022, the U.S. transportation sector emitted 1,879 million metric tons of CO2e (EPA)
- Telematics adoption among trucking fleets reached 80% in 2022 (Verizon/industry survey)
- U.S. port drayage trucking congestion costs were estimated at $3.9 billion per year (TRB/industry study)
- U.S. electric vehicle sales reached 7.0% of new vehicle sales in 2023; analysts expect similar trajectory for commercial EVs over time
- The U.S. IRA provides a $40,000 credit for qualifying commercial vehicles placed in service (as enacted)
- BLS reports heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers worked 40.2 hours per week on average in 2023 (CEW/ATUS)
- U.S. truck driver job openings were 190,000 in 2023 (BLS JOLTS for Truck Drivers)
- In 2023, there were 59,000 trucking-related small business establishments (SUSB)
- Workers’ compensation for transportation and warehousing had an average cost per employee of $2,100 in 2022 (BLS/OSHA)
- U.S. trucking capacity tightened in 2024: spot market rates for van loads averaged $2.30 per mile in March 2024 (DAT)
Telematics, eco and connected vehicle tech are cutting crashes and fuel use, even as congestion and costs strain fleets.
Related reading
01 · Category
Sustainability & Tech5 stats
01
A 2020 study found 15.0% lower fuel consumption for fleets using eco-driving compared with baseline driving (meta-analysis of trial results)
02
A 2022 study estimated that connected vehicle systems could reduce crash frequency by 20% for certain scenarios
03
In 2022, the U.S. transportation sector emitted 1,879 million metric tons of CO2e (EPA)
04
EPA SmartWay participants report 3.2 billion pounds of freight emissions reductions from 2017–2023 (SmartWay results)
05
SmartWay reports that idling reduction technologies can cut fuel use by 2%–10% depending on duty cycle (SmartWay)
Interpretation
Sustainability & Tech Interpretation
Across sustainability and tech in truck transportation, the evidence points to measurable real-world gains, with eco-driving lowering fuel use by 15.0% and idling reduction technologies cutting fuel by 2% to 10% while connected vehicle systems could reduce crash frequency by 20% in certain scenarios.
02 · Category
Safety & Compliance4 stats
01
FMCSA reports 26% of large truck crashes involved improper lane change (2022)
02
In 2023, the U.S. had 2.7 million drug-related fatalities (context for distracted driving/health risks)
03
Over-the-road truck fatalities among all driver types were 4,200 in 2022 (NHTSA FARS drivers)
04
NHTSA reported 71% of large-truck-involved crashes were multi-vehicle (FARS analysis)
Interpretation
Safety & Compliance Interpretation
Safety and compliance gaps remain a major driver of crashes, with 26% of large truck crashes in 2022 involving improper lane changes and 71% of large-truck-involved crashes involving multiple vehicles, underscoring the need for stronger lane-change and collision-prevention practices.
03 · Category
Industry Trends3 stats
01
U.S. port drayage trucking congestion costs were estimated at $3.9 billion per year (TRB/industry study)
02
U.S. electric vehicle sales reached 7.0% of new vehicle sales in 2023; analysts expect similar trajectory for commercial EVs over time
03
The U.S. IRA provides a $40,000credit for qualifying commercial vehicles placed in service (as enacted)
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
Industry trends show that congestion is costing U.S. port drayage trucking about $3.9 billion per year while EV adoption is rising with 7.0% of new U.S. vehicle sales in 2023, and the IRA’s $40,000 credit for qualifying commercial vehicles is likely to accelerate that shift over time.
More related reading
04 · Category
Cost Analysis3 stats
01
Workers’ compensation for transportation and warehousing had an average cost per employee of $2,100in 2022 (BLS/OSHA)
02
U.S. trucking capacity tightened in 2024: spot market rates for van loads averaged $2.30per mile in March 2024 (DAT)
03
U.S. trucking freight rate index increased by 6.0% in 2024 vs. prior year (BLS Producer Price Index for freight)
Interpretation
Cost Analysis Interpretation
In the truck transportation industry, costs were clearly rising as workers’ compensation averaged $2,100 per employee in 2022 and trucking spot van rates averaged $2.30 per mile in March 2024, while the freight rate index climbed 6.0% in 2024 versus the prior year, reinforcing the cost pressure picture for the Cost Analysis category.
05 · Category
Safety & Emissions3 stats
01
U.S. freight trucking contributes approximately 21% of transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions (latest available inventory)—capturing the sector’s climate footprint share.
02
In 2021, 13.9% of commercial motor vehicle crashes involved speeding as a contributing factor (FMCSA study dataset compiled by researchers)—indicating speed as a key driver-risk factor.
03
A 2022 analysis found that aerodynamic drag-reduction devices can improve heavy-truck fuel economy by about 5% on average—reducing emissions intensity tied to fuel burn.
Interpretation
Safety & Emissions Interpretation
For the Safety and Emissions category, trucking’s sizable climate impact is clear, with US freight trucking responsible for about 21% of transportation greenhouse gas emissions, while targeted improvements like cutting speeding related crashes from broader risk factors and using aerodynamic drag reduction can boost heavy truck fuel economy by about 5% on average, further reducing emissions.
06 · Category
Industry Overview6 stats
01
BLS reports heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers worked 40.2 hours per week on average in 2023 (CEW/ATUS)
02
U.S. truck driver job openings were 190,000 in 2023 (BLS JOLTS for Truck Drivers)
03
Telematics adoption among trucking fleets reached 80% in 2022 (Verizon/industry survey)
04
In 2023, there were 59,000 trucking-related small business establishments (SUSB)
05
71% of freight by value moves by truck in the U.S. (2022)—indicating trucking’s dominant role in high-value supply chains.
06
U.S. diesel retail prices reached a monthly peak of $5.00per gallon in June 2022—useful for understanding cost volatility affecting fleets.
Interpretation
Industry Overview Interpretation
In the Truck Transportation industry, strong demand is reflected in 190,000 truck driver job openings in 2023 while operational modernization is evident as telematics adoption hit 80% in 2022, reinforcing the industry overview picture of a fast-moving workforce and tech-driven fleets.
report visual · Breakdown
Where trucking improvements could help most
Eco-driving, telematics, and drag-reduction technologies show measurable potential to reduce fuel use and incident impacts—suggesting targeted operational and tech adoption could improve efficiency and safety.
80%
Telematics adoption among trucking fleets reached 80% in 2022 (Verizon/industry survey)
20%
A 2022 study estimated that connected vehicle systems could reduce crash frequency by 20% for certain scenarios
source-verifiedverizon.com · rosap.ntl.bts.gov2022
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Thomas Lindqvist. (2026, February 13). Truck Transportation Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/truck-transportation-industry-statistics
MLA
Thomas Lindqvist. "Truck Transportation Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/truck-transportation-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Thomas Lindqvist. 2026. "Truck Transportation Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/truck-transportation-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
24 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+7 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)