According to figures released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, truck crash fatalities in 1999 fell by 171 from the 1998 figures-from 5,374 in 1998 to 5,203 in 1999. This marks the second consecutive annual drop in truck accident fatalities. The decrease in truck-related fatality numbers mirrored a drop in automobile deaths and helped set a national low in the traffic fatality rate.
Group to Advocate Diesel Power Advantages The Diesel Engine Campaign Association, created by Caterpillar in late 1999, has a mission to represent the industry in the diesel debate, and to educate the public regarding the need for low-emissions diesel-powered products.
Caterpillar appointed Marsha Baker from its Global Marketing Communications Division for a newly created position at the track engine division: manager of industry relations.
The association's first effort will be to create and direct an industrywide campaign to communicate the environmental friendliness and economic benefits of the diesel engine to various audiences. The campaign is expected to launch during the first half of 2000.
US Senator Tests Fuel-Efficient Engine United States Sen Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO), who holds a Colorado commercial driver license, test-drove a Kenworth W900L truck equipped with a Cummins Signature 600 fuel-efficient engine at a Cummins distributor near Denver CO recently. The Cummins Signature 600, introduced in 1998, is an electronic, dual-overhead-cam 600-hp diesel engine. It features the Cummins Intebrake system and an Electronic Control Module (ECM).
A member of the Senate subcommittee on transportation, Campbell recently introduced a bill addressing the increasing cost of diesel fuel. Inspired by the February 21 rally by more than 500 truck drivers at the US Capitol, Campbell proposed a temporary suspension of the federal excise tax of 24 cents per gallon on diesel fuel.
