This document includes examples of actions, findings, outputs, and impacts (intermediate 

outcomes) on selected populations at elevated motor vehicle crash and injury risk. 

Use the following links to download each Impact Story separately: 

 Truck Drivers

 EMS Workers & Firefighters

 Law Enforcement Officers

 Oil & Gas Extraction Workers

 Light-Vehicle Drivers

Impact Stories: Evaluation of Strategic Plan 

for Research and Prevention, 2014-2018 

This product is a component of the NIOSH Center for Motor Vehicle Safety 

Evaluation of Strategic Plan for Research and Prevention, 2014-2018: 

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2019-166 • https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2019166 
 Collect body measurement data from more 

than 1,900 truck drivers 

across 15 states. 

 Share data with 8 major 

truck manufacturers, 

parts suppliers, and 

software developers. 

Truck Drivers

More than 1 in 3 long-haul truck drivers have experienced a serious truck crash during 

their career.1

Truck transportation is essential to the U.S. economy. Long-haul truck drivers work long hours and drive 

long distances, increasing their risk for crashes. 

Key Actions: 

Key Findings: 

 Conduct a survey of 

1,265 long-haul truck 

drivers from 32 truck 

stops across 48 states. 

 Evaluate healthy food 

options, site safety, 

and exercise facilities 

at 16 of the 32 stops. 

Partner with Virginia Tech 

Transportation Institute 

to study sleep patterns of 

96 commercial truck 

drivers during non-work 

periods, and evaluate the 

influence on subsequent 

driving performance. 

1

CDC Vital Signs Trucker Safety

 Truck drivers are heavier—13.5 kg (29.8 lbs) for males and 15.4 kg (34 lbs) for females—than the 

general U.S. population, demonstrating the need for updated cab designs to improve trucker safety. 

 Truck drivers with less sleep overall, sleep starting near the middle of a non-work period, and less 

sleep 1-5 a.m. had the highest rates of high-risk road events. 

 37% of long-haul truck drivers reported being noncompliant with hours-of-service rules at least 

some of the time. 

 67% of truck drivers reported having 2 or more health risk factors (e.g., hypertension, obesity, smoking, high cholesterol, no physical activity, 6 or fewer hours of sleep per 24-hour period). 

 Most truck stops did not provide healthy food options, a safe walking area, or exercise facilities. 

NIOSH Motor Vehicle Safety Impact Story
 Anthropometric dataset 

of body dimensions of 

1,900 truck drivers 

(See Chapter IV)

 Multivariate anthropometric models to aid in 

the design of next 

generation commercial 

truck cabs 

(See Chapter V)

 Accident Analysis & 

Prevention article: The 

influence of daily sleep 

patterns of commercial 

truck drivers on driving 

performance

 American Journal of 

Industrial Medicine 

article: Obesity and 

other risk factors: The 

national survey of U.S. 

long haul truck driver 

health and injury 

CDC Vital Signs report

based on survey results 

Key Outputs: 

Key Impacts: 

 NIOSH data helped project partners design the next generation of truck cabs to better accommodate 

the body dimensions of today's truck drivers. 

 A software developer used NIOSH data to make a 3D digital driver model for truck-cab design 

software. 

 One major trucking company and several insurance carriers used the results from the survey of longhaul truck drivers to justify the need for health and wellness programs. 

 The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration cited NIOSH survey results in 2 commercial vehicle 

operator rules: Minimum Training Requirements for Entry-level Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators 

and Driving of Commercial Vehicles: Use of Seatbelts. 

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This product is a component of the NIOSH Center for Motor Vehicle Safety 

Evaluation of Strategic Plan for Research and Prevention, 2014-2018: 

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2019-166 • https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2019166 
Partner with the Department of Homeland Security, other federal agencies, 

and manufacturers to 

crash-test ambulances 

and major components 

(e.g., patient cot). 

Collaborate with the 

Office of Emergency 

Medical Services in the 

National Highway Traffic 

Safety Administration to 

describe nonfatal injuries 

and exposures to EMS 

providers. 

 Work with industry to 

improve firefighter 

personal protective 

equipment (PPE) and 

fire apparatus design. 

 Investigate fatal firefighter motor vehicle 

incidents. 

Emergency medical services (EMS) workers and firefighters are vital to disaster response. Their duties 

expose them to hazards that increase their risk for on-the-job injuries. 

NIOSH Motor Vehicle Safety Impact Story

EMS Workers 

& Firefighters

1

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Query System 

2U.S. Fire Administration (2009-2018). Fire Fighter Fatalities in United States in 

46% of all EMS provider fatalities between 2013-2017 were related to motor vehicle crashes.1 

100 firefighters died as a result of motor vehicle crashes between 2008-2017.2

Key Actions: 

Key Findings: 

 Ambulances fall outside most federal motor vehicle safety standards and, as a general rule, are not 

regulated by the federal government. Guidelines for ambulance design, purchasing, and licensing are 

the responsibility of individual states. 

 Motor vehicle incidents led to about 2,000 injured EMS workers seeking emergency department treatment each year from July 2010 to June 2014. Most injured workers in the patient compartment were 

not wearing seat belts. 

 Current seat belt designs do not accommodate some firefighters, especially if they wear turnout gear. 

 Technically-sound design of PPE and fire apparatus requires scientific measurement of firefighters’ 

body dimensions, not self-reported information. 
 Prehospital Emergency 

Care article: Occupational 

injuries and exposures 

among emergency 

medical services workers 

 EMS 

employer 

fact sheet

 Anthropometric (body 

measurement) database

of U.S. firefighters 

published on NIOSH 

website 

 Applied Ergonomics 

article: Seat and seatbelt 

accommodation in fire 

apparatus: Anthropometric aspects

Key Outputs: 

Key Impacts: 

 NIOSH and industry partners worked together to develop and validate 10 new test methods, each 

based on crash testing, to improve worker safety in an ambulance. The Society of Automotive Engineers published each test method. 

 These test methods, their adoption into 3 national bumper-to-bumper standards, and the educational campaign driven by the NIOSH video series led to nationwide changes to ambulance design 

and purchasing specifications. 

 The Volunteer Fire Insurance Services Company used NIOSH investigations in risk management 

training and educational material to educate fire departments on the pros and cons of volunteer 

firefighters responding in privately-owned vehicles. 

 Vehicle and equipment designers are using NIOSH firefighter anthropometric data to design safer 

vehicles and turnout gear. 

 Ambulance crash tests

 Award-winning video 

series, Improving EMS 

worker safety through 

ambulance design and 

testing 

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This product is a component of the NIOSH Center for Motor Vehicle Safety 

Evaluation of Strategic Plan for Research and Prevention, 2014-2018: 

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2019-166 • https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2019166 
Evaluate the effectiveness 

of a departmental crash 

prevention program in 

reducing motor vehicle 

crashes and injuries. 

Conduct statewide survey 

of officers and agency 

leaders to better understand motor vehicle 

crashes, seat belt use, 

and motor vehicle safety 

training. 

Law enforcement officers spend many hours behind the wheel, including responding to emergency calls, in 

high-speed pursuits, and conducting normal patrol duties. 

Law Enforcement Officers

1National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

564 officers died due to vehicle crashes, 31% of all line-of-duty deaths from 2005-2016.1

Of the 152 fatal crashes from 2012-2016, almost half were single-vehicle events.1 

Key Actions: 

Key Findings: 

 It is possible to reduce crashes and injuries by implementing and enforcing policies, education, and 

training. One agency’s program led to a 14% decline in crash rate and 41% decline in injury rate for all 

law enforcement officers. Patrol officers, those spending the most amount of time in patrol cars, had 

the largest decreases in crashes and injuries. 

 Nearly all officers believed that driver training is critical to their safety, but only half reported that 

academy-provided driver training prepared them to safely drive in the field, and only 29% reported 

having any type of motor vehicle annual in-service training. 

 Most officer-involved motor vehicle crashes occurred during daylight (49%), in clear weather (70%), 

during non-emergency calls (64%), and at speeds lower than 50 mph (79%). 

Investigate crash-related 

officer fatalities to 

understand the circumstances and causes of 

these events. 

NIOSH Motor Vehicle Safety Impact Story
 Officer Motor Vehicle 

Safety webpage 

 Keep officers safe on 

the road infographic 

 Officer Road Code 

toolkit

 Findings from a 

statewide survey of 

officers related to 

motor vehicle incidents 

 Officer motor vehicle 

crash & struck-by 

fatality investigation 

reports

Police Chief Magazine 

Research in Brief: 

Officer-involved collisions: 

Magnitude, risk factors, 

and prevention 

Key Outputs: 

Key Impacts: 

 Research fostered a relationship between NIOSH and law enforcement bodies such as the Police 

Foundation, National Institute of Justice, Destination Zero, National Sheriffs’ Association, Below 100, 

and International Association of Chiefs of Police. 

 Crash investigations identified details about circumstances and contributing factors that can be used 

to support training programs and policy changes to promote safe driving among officers. 

 According to a NIOSH Science Blog post about popular NIOSH information in 2018, an Instagram 

message about the Officer Road Code toolkit had the most likes (96) and most engagement (108) of 

any post since NIOSH opened the account in 2016. Engagement includes likes, comments, and saves. 

Masthead: ©Stockbyte/Thinkstock 

This product is a component of the NIOSH Center for Motor Vehicle Safety 

Evaluation of Strategic Plan for Research and Prevention, 2014-2018: 

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2019-166 • https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2019166 
Analyze existing datasets 

to better understand 

factors involved in fatal 

motor vehicle crashes in 

the OGE industry. 

Raise awareness of best 

practices for the OGE industry, including journey 

management, in-vehicle 

monitoring systems 

(IVMS), and fatigue risk 

management.

Many oil and gas extraction (OGE) workers drive long distances from their homes, lodging sites, and 

equipment yards to reach well sites that are often in remote areas. 

Oil & Gas Extraction Workers

1

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 2017. 

Create customized tables. 

Motor vehicle crashes cause over 50% of work-related deaths in the oil and gas 

extraction industry.1 

Key Actions: 

Key Findings: 

 The motor vehicle fatality rate for the OGE industry is higher than all other industry sectors except for 

transportation and warehousing. 

 Slightly more than half of fatalities were occupants of light-duty pickup trucks. Common factors noted 

in crash reports included speeding, weather conditions, and driver fatigue. 

 IVMS are being used by large OGE companies in the United States and globally to reduce motor vehicle crash risk. This technology helps reduce risky driving behaviors through in-vehicle feedback and 

coaching by supervisors. 

Coordinate a working 

group for developing 

products and discuss 

solutions to OGE motor 

vehicle safety issues. 

NIOSH Motor Vehicle Safety Impact Story
 Morbidity and Mortality 

Weekly Report article: 

Occupational fatalities 

during the oil and gas 

boom 

 Society of Petroleum 

Engineers article: 

Journey management 

Fatigued driving fact 

sheets for OGE: 

 Employers 

 Workers

Key Outputs: 

Key Impacts: 

 International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) issued a new Land Transportation Safety 

Recommended Practice: Implementing an In-Vehicle Monitoring Program — a Guide for the Oil and 

Gas Extraction Industry. Developed by IOGP committee members, other industry stakeholders, and 

NIOSH, this collaborative product is internationally-used and recognized. 

 Using best practices identified by NIOSH, Texas Mutual and the Texas Oil and Gas Association Oil and 

Gas Safety Roundtable developed an 8-module worker training program focused on motor vehicle 

safety. 

 The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing 

eTool contains a transportation module that incorporates best practices identified by NIOSH research. 

The eTool also uses case examples identified through the NIOSH Fatalities in Oil and Gas Extraction 

(FOG) database.

Delivered over 40 

presentations on motor 

vehicle safety to industry 

leaders at regional, 

national, and international events. 

Masthead: ©iStock/Thinkstock 

This product is a component of the NIOSH Center for Motor Vehicle Safety 

Evaluation of Strategic Plan for Research and Prevention, 2014-2018: 

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2019-166 • https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2019166 
 Identify crash risk 

factors and evaluate 

safety practices. 

 Analyze fleet safety data 

from the Network of 

Employers for Traffic 

Safety (NETS). 

Participate in the American 

National Standards Institute 

(ANSI)/American Society of 

Safety Professionals (ASSP) 

Z15 standards committee, 

NETS, and the Road to Zero 

Coalition. 

Publish a quarterly 

eNewsletter, Behind the 

Wheel at Work, to reach 

more than 25,000 

subscribers with research 

updates, practical tips on 

workplace driving, and 

news about events. 

Millions of workers drive light vehicles to meet with clients or customers. 

Light-Vehicle Drivers

1

Bureau of Labor Statistics. Table A-6. Fatal occupational injuries resulting from 

58% of the workers who died in workplace motor vehicle crashes in 2016 were not in 

vehicle-operator jobs such as truck, bus, or taxi driver.1 

Key Actions: 

Key Findings: 

 In-vehicle warning lights, combined with supervisory coaching, reduced risky driving behaviors by 43%

among light-vehicle fleet drivers. 

 Using only Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data, work-related crash fatalities are dominated 

by transportation workers and trucks. Adding cases identified by the Census of Fatal Occupational 

Injuries (CFOI) showed that fatal work-related crashes significantly impact workers across all industries 

and occupations. 

 For 70 NETS companies, several practices were related to lower collision and injury rates, including 

mobile phone record checking, fatigue management practices, driver training, and an intensive collision 

review process. 

NIOSH Motor Vehicle Safety Impact Story
 Journal of Safety 

Research article: Evaluation of an in-vehicle 

monitoring system 

(IVMS) to reduce risky 

driving behaviors 

 Accident Analysis & Prevention article: Workrelated fatal motor 

vehicle traffic crashes: 

Matching of 2010 data 

from CFOI and FARS 

Repackage research results 

for safety professionals: 

 Professional Safety 

article: Fleet safety: 

Developing & sustaining an effective 

program with ANSI/

ASSE Z15.1 

 Older drivers in the 

workplace fact sheet

 Preventing work-related 

motor vehicle crashes 

fact sheet

 Keep workers safe 

on the road infographic

Key Outputs: 

Key Impacts: 

 NIOSH contributed technical expertise to the revised ANSI/ASSP Z15.1 standard, Safe practices for 

motor vehicle operations. This standard outlines requirements for managing fleets of all sizes, 

industries, and vehicle types. 

 NIOSH contributed technical expertise to the ANSI/ASSP TR-Z15.3 technical report, Management 

practices for the safe operation of partially- and fully-automated motor vehicles. 

 Analysis of NETS benchmarking data identified road safety practices that were significantly associated with lower collision and injury rates, providing member companies with important information to 

improve and/or reinforce practices. 

 A large health care company developed safety campaigns to target issues identified by NIOSH. The 

company extended its IVMS program to newly-hired drivers based on NIOSH research that showed 

higher collision rates for drivers with the shortest tenure with the company. 

Masthead: ©iStock/Thinkstock 

This product is a component of the NIOSH Center for Motor Vehicle Safety 

Evaluation of Strategic Plan for Research and Prevention, 2014-2018: 

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2019-166 • https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2019166