Wyoming trucking industry resents recent studying pinning them as #1 most dangerous state for truckers

Wyoming trucking industry leaders say the recent study ranking them number one for fatal truck crashes is based on skewed data. 

The Truck Safety Coalition released a study on Monday, September 29th ranking the top 12 worst states for fatal truck crashes based on National Highway Transportation Safety Administration data.

According to Cowboy State Daily, president of the Wyoming Trucking Association Kevin Hawley, believes that the ranking does not accurately portray the state’s trucking environment due to its per capita measuring. 

“In a rural state like Wyoming, with one of the smallest populations but some of the highest truck miles traveled per capita in the nation, even a small number of crashes can dramatically skew the results. This makes Wyoming appear ‘deadlier’ than larger states with far higher crash totals.”

Data from the Wyoming Department of Transportation shows that most truck crashes in the state involve out-of-state drivers, and often involve dangerous weather. The same data shows 90% of commercial vehicle crashes on Interstate 80, AKA The Gauntlet, involve drivers that are not residents of Wyoming, and 78% of those crashes occurred during dangerous weather. 

“This suggests that greater outreach and education for non-Wyoming companies could help prepare drivers for the unique conditions they may have never experienced before and are likely to face here,” Hawley said. “80-mile-per-hour winds may be considered hurricane strength in Florida—but in Wyoming, that can be just another Tuesday in winter.”

Hawley also added that the rural nature of the state creates longer response times for emergency services, which contributes to higher fatal outcomes for crashes with severe injuries. 

“Every crash is one too many, and our members continue to invest in training, technology, and safety culture,” he added. “But it is important to understand the context — Wyoming is not experiencing a surge in fatalities, and our trucking companies are committed to continuous improvement. The per capita math used in this report (from the coalition) does not tell the full story.”

The list outlining the worst fatal truck crash states in 2023 per 100,000 population pins Wyoming at number one, followed by New Mexico, Mississippi, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Idaho, Nebraska, Arkansas, Kansas, Montana, South Dakota, and Alabama.