In Europe, its research shows that 27 percent of all accidents involving trucks are caused by a driver's drowsiness.

In addition, several accidents have involved tall trucks getting stuck against the tunnel roof.

In 1984, 17 of the 69 fatal accidents in the county involved heavy trucks.

In 1987, 2 of the 85 fatal accidents involved heavy trucks.

The fatality rate in accidents involving trucks last year was 2.33 for every 100 million miles, a record low.

Still, the absolute number of fatalities involving trucks has rarely dropped below 5,000 in two decades.

Moreover, 70 percent of the major accidents involve such trucks.

In 2003, 4,986 people died and 122,000 were injured in crashes involving large trucks.

Accidents that involve heavy trucks have killed an average of 5,000 people a year for 15 years.

The plant will involve trucks bringing chemicals in and carrying sludge out, she said.