Commercial truck crashes are rising across the United States, and the conversation around why has become increasingly noisy. Social media often points to single causes — immigration, language barriers, or licensing — but the real picture is more complex.
At Road Logic, we focus on what the data and federal enforcement actions actually show, not speculation.
What the Data Says
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), fatal and injury crashes involving large trucks have increased over the past several years. After a brief dip during the COVID period, crash numbers climbed again as freight volumes and vehicle miles traveled increased.
More trucks on the road means more exposure. Even without changes in driver behavior, higher mileage alone increases crash risk.
What Is – and Isn’t – Tracked
One major misunderstanding is how much information is actually captured in crash data. Federal crash databases track:
- Vehicle type
- Crash severity
- Driver violations
- Road and weather conditions
They do not track immigration status or categorize crashes by citizenship. This means claims tying accident trends directly to immigration cannot be supported by official crash data.
A Verified Compliance Issue
In 2025, FMCSA released audit findings confirming that some states illegally issued non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). In Minnesota, federal auditors found that roughly one-third of reviewed non-domiciled CDLs failed to meet federal requirements, including cases where lawful presence was not properly verified.
This is a serious compliance failure, and FMCSA has launched a nationwide audit to ensure states follow federal CDL rules. However, it is important to separate licensing violations from crash causation. At this time, no federal crash database shows that illegally issued non-domiciled CDLs are a primary driver of national accident trends.
What Actually Drives Crashes
Federal research consistently points to several key contributors:
- Driver inexperience
- Fatigue and scheduling pressure
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive passenger-vehicle behavior
- Increased vehicle miles traveled
These factors affect both commercial drivers and the motorists sharing the road with them.
Why Accuracy Matters
Road safety discussions should be grounded in verified data. Oversimplifying complex issues or blaming entire groups distracts from the real work of improving training, enforcement, infrastructure, and public awareness.
At Road Logic, our goal is simple:
Follow the data.
Hold the right parties accountable.
Improve safety for everyone on the road.
Watch the full breakdown:
The Truth About Commercial Truck Crashes in America | Data, Audits & What Really Causes Them
Road Logic Verified: This content is based on primary sources, official data, or documented enforcement actions.
Road Logic is an independent trucking information platform focused on safety, compliance, enforcement, and accountability.
We are not a breaking-news outlet, a review site, or an opinion channel. Road Logic exists to explain how trucking systems actually work — what the rules say, how they’re enforced, where they fail, and what that means for drivers, trainers, and carriers.
In an industry flooded with headlines, speculation, and misinformation, Road Logic prioritizes clarity over speed and accuracy over clicks.
Leave a Comment