Official NTSB Crash Report Shows Need for Improved Truck Safety

Virginia Crash Report and Investigation Show Big Safety Problems

What Happened

On December 16, 2022, a serious crash occurred on Interstate 64 near Williamsburg, Virginia. A truck from Triton Logistics crashed into the back of a slow-moving bus from Futrell’s Party Adventures. The accident occurred at about 1:36 a.m. The truck was going fast, between 65 to 70 mph, while the bus was moving slowly at around 20 to 25 mph. The truck driver did not slow down or try to avoid the bus, hitting it straight from behind.

The crash was devastating. The bus spun around and hit the guardrail in the middle of the highway. The truck crossed the middle barrier and stopped against the guardrail on the other side. Three people on the bus died, nine were badly hurt, and eleven had minor injuries. The truck driver was also seriously hurt. The crash happened because the truck driver was very tired.

What the NTSB Crash Report and Investigation Revealed

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) looked into the crash and found some big problems:

1. Tired Driver: The main cause of the crash was the truck driver being too tired. The driver drove for too long without enough sleep. Triton Logistics let drivers change their driving logs to show less driving time than they actually did. This made it possible for drivers to drive more hours than the law allows, making them very tired.

2. No Safety Features: The truck did not have important safety features like automatic brakes or cruise control that slows down automatically. These features could have helped prevent the crash or made it less severe. Triton chose not to get these safety features when they bought the truck.

3. Bad Bus Maintenance: The bus was not kept in good condition. A partly blocked fuel filter might have made the bus go slower. The bus company did not follow proper safety rules. The bus was not registered correctly, and the driver did not have the right license or medical checks to drive a bus with so many people.

4. Poor State Guidance: The report also said Virginia did not provide enough safety information to new bus companies. Without this help, new companies might not know about important safety rules, which can lead to more accidents.

What Recommendations Were in the Crash Report

The NTSB made several recommendations to prevent future crashes:

1. Better Log Rules: The NTSB suggested that truck log systems must keep detailed records. This would stop drivers and companies from changing driving hours to break the law.

2. Manage Driver Tiredness: The NTSB recommended that Triton Logistics start a program to help manage driver tiredness. This program would teach drivers and staff about the dangers of driving while tired. They also suggested using video cameras in trucks to watch drivers and improve training.

3. Safety Tips for New Companies: The NTSB urged Virginia to give better safety information to new truck and bus companies. This should include advice on getting the right licenses, testing for drugs and alcohol, managing tiredness, keeping vehicles in good shape, and driving safely.

4. Warn About False Logs: The NTSB suggested that safety groups should tell their members about the dangers of using false driving logs.

5. Require Safety Systems: The NTSB also recommended that all big trucks and buses should be required to have safety systems like automatic brakes and video cameras to help prevent accidents.