MENU
SEARCHOver the past decade, some 43 people lost their lives in a collision involving a commercial sanitation truck in New York City.
Commercial garbage trucks were involved in crashes that injured 107 people on New York City streets like this one between 2010 and 2019.
Photo via James Day on Unsplash.
Commercial garbage trucks were involved in crashes that caused at least 43 fatalities and 107 injuries in New York City from January 2010 through May 2019. A new report examines the root causes of the collisions and unveils a roadmap to prevent further incidents and boost safety.
The report is a joint effort of the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) and the NYC Business Integrity Commission (BIC).
Collisions involving commercial garbage trucks are on the rise across the nation, but there are heightened risks in urban settings. These large vehicles often provide limited driver visibility and are more difficult to operate than other vehicles, according to DCAS.
The new report sets forth four core recommendations.
Changing the design of truck cabs. Large trucks with conventionally designed cabs can have a frontal obstructed view of 20 feet or more. Since 2010, all fatal collisions in New York City involving a commercial garbage truck that was stopped and then put into drive, involved a cab with a conventional design. The recommendation is to design high-vision truck cabs in the future. DCAS also utilizes an app that can help fleets buy the safest available vehicles.
Installing a side guard. These barriers prevent vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists from sliding under the truck during a side-impact collision and can result in a 40% reduction in fatalities.
Investing in vehicle technology. Technologies like surround cameras, safety lights automatic braking systems, and additional mirrors can reduce fatalities and injuries. DCAS and BIC will work together on developing best practices and retrofitting technology onto commercial garbage trucks.
Addressing visual impairments. Certain vehicle retrofitting devices, like bug deflectors, can increase visual impairment and pose an unnecessary safety risk.
Using the findings from this latest report, BIC created new safety rules for the trade waste industry that are now in effect. The rules include new requirements like crossover mirrors for trucks with conventional cab design, bi-annual truck inspections, annual safety training, and record-keeping requirements.
Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.
Read More →
As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.
Read More →
What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.
Read More →
Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.
Read More →
While serious crashes are declining, a rise in minor incidents and ongoing risk hotspots underscore the need for continued fleet safety investment.
Read More →
Fleets have more driver data than ever, so why isn't behavior changing? Training requires more than reports and coaching — it requires real-world practice.
Read More →
A two-part conversation with Stefan Heck on how AI is transforming the fight against distracted driving. As fleets adopt smarter tools, the focus shifts from reacting to preventing risk. In Part 1, we look at where AI is making an impact for fleets today.
Read More →
More people on foot means more risk for drivers. These pedestrian safety tips can help prevent serious injuries and keep everyone safer on the road.
Read More →
Safer crews. Fewer incidents. Better uptime. Learn how driver-assist technology is changing the way vocational fleets operate.
Read More →
An 11% drop in pedestrian fatalities in early 2025 signals progress in U.S. road safety, but elevated death rates and ongoing risks underscore the need for continued action from fleets and policymakers.
Read More →
