If you’re middle-aged and driving a small truck on Highway 1 on a Monday in June between 11am and 2pm, take extra care – you’re at high risk of a serious truck accident, according to new crash statistics from National Transport Insurance (NTI).

Findings from NTI’s 2011 Major Accident Investigation Report show that serious truck crashes have fallen since 2003, but fatigue and speed are still responsible for the nearly half the serious crashes.

The survey of 323 major crashes recorded in 2009 also finds fatigue-related crashes have fallen by 50% since 2007, while 70% of incidents involved no other vehicle.

The NTI survey found larger trucks such as B-doubles were less likely to be involved in a major crash, while semi-trailers accounted for 60.1% of serious incidents.

NTI National Manager Industry Relations and report author Owen Driscoll says the insurer has established a panel of experts to address safety issues in the road transport industry.

“The panel will independently study the findings from the research and submit recommendations to road safety authorities annually,” he said.