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The fatal crash rate for large trucks fell slightly to 2.39 per million miles in 1997, down from 2.41 the year before, according to newly released statistics from the Federal Highway Administration.

A top Federal Highway Administration official said the agency was seriously considering a “negotiated” rulemaking to rewrite hours-of-service standards for truck drivers.

American Trucking Associations took a giant step toward unifying its splintered federation last week with a management conference that drew record attendance and generated more than a half-million dollars in political contributions.

The U.S. Department of Labor and the American Trucking Associations will launch a pilot program next month to train as long-haul truck drivers 200 workers who lost their jobs in other industries.

Out-of-service rates may not be an accurate measure of the safety of the trucking industry, according to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, the international organization of state, provincial and federal truck safety inspectors.

Before the $1 billion settlement negotiated by diesel engine manufacturers, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice is final, it must past a judicial review.

Diesel engine manufacturers feel betrayed by the Environmental Protection Agency and continue to deny accusations that they illegally polluted.

Truckers hope the $54 million that the U.S. Customs Service will get next year for drug interdiction technology will also lead to fewer trucking delays on the Mexican border.

Daimler-Benz, the world’s largest truck builder, is continuing on a record pace for sales and profits this year.

Despite the slowdown in Asian markets, Volvo Truck Corp.’s operating profits reached $248 million through the first nine months of the year, more than the $232 million the truck builder made in all of 1997.