Deaths related to truck crashes have soared in recent years, according to a report issued by a government safety coalition.

Since 2009, truck-related crash deaths increased by nearly 75 percent, data from the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, a part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, showed.

The “Deadliest Truck Crash States” report ranks states based on crash deaths per 100,000 population in 2022, the latest year from which information is available.

Released late last year, the report prompted the Truck Safety Coalition to call for immediate action to advance critical safety reforms.

The report ranked states and highlighted the “Deadliest Dozen” states: Wyoming, New Mexico, North Dakota, Montana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Alabama, Mississippi, Nebraska, Kansas, and Texas.

“Across New Mexico and the country, truckers and drivers deserve to be able to travel our roads safely,” said Senator Luján (D-NM). “To see that truck crash deaths have increased by nearly 75 percent since 2009 is a sobering reminder that we must continue to fight to reduce the number of truck crash fatalities. That is why I remain committed to pushing the Department of Transportation to act and implement common-sense solutions to prevent needless deaths and keep our roadways safe. This report is a painful reminder that we have much more work to do.”

The coalition focused on truck safety urged Congress and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to address solutions to reduce truck crashes.

It said the DOT should finalize its Automatic Emergency Braking and speed limiter rules for all classes of commercial motor vehicles since an estimated 20 percent of all fatal large truck crashes involved trucks speeding at 70+ miles per hour.

In addition, Congress and the DOT should not allow exemptions for longer and heavier trucks, as they are difficult to stop and involved in more severe crashes.

“Truck crash deaths have continued to rise over the last 10 years, demonstrating the need for safety reforms,” Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-01) said. “Safety was my first priority when working on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, including mandating automatic emergency braking, stronger standards for rear underride guards, and increased funding for safety programs, among other provisions. We can and must do more to reverse the rise in truck-related injuries and fatalities.”