US Motor Carrier Safety Index

Trucking safety varies dramatically across states due to differences in geography, infrastructure, regulatory enforcement, and freight volume. States along major interstate corridors like I-10, I-40, and I-95 see significantly higher commercial vehicle traffic and correspondingly elevated crash statistics. Understanding these geographic patterns helps shippers, insurers, and policymakers allocate resources where they are most needed.

State-level data also reveals important trends in regulatory effectiveness. States that invest in roadside inspection programs, maintain well-funded commercial vehicle enforcement units, and operate permanent weigh stations typically show lower per-capita crash rates than states with less enforcement infrastructure. The FMCSA's Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) provides federal grants to states for these enforcement activities, and the data on this page can help assess program effectiveness.

For carriers operating across state lines, understanding regional safety landscapes is essential for risk management. Insurance underwriters use state-level crash data when pricing commercial auto policies, and carriers with routes through high-risk states may face premium adjustments. Fleet managers can use this data to identify corridors requiring additional driver training, route planning, or safety technology deployment.

The year-over-year trend column in our directory is particularly valuable for identifying states where conditions are improving or deteriorating. A decreasing trend suggests successful safety interventions, while increasing trends may indicate growing freight volume, infrastructure strain, or enforcement gaps that warrant attention. For deeper analysis of any state, click through to view the full safety intelligence report, or explore our state-by-state regulations guide for information on how local rules affect carrier operations.