HIGHLIGHTING NTSB ADVOCACY IN ACTION
VOL 5 ISSUE 3 (Sep-Dec 2019)
THE BIG STORIES
Progress Report : NTSB to Host Mid-Point Most Wanted List Progress Meeting on Feb. 4
The NTSB will host a meeting to assess midpoint progress on the 2019–2020  Most Wanted List (MWL) of transportation safety improvements on February 4, 2020, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the NTSB Board Room and Conference Center in Washington, D.C. The meeting is open to advocates, industry, and government officials. Our goal is to identify where we stand in terms of addressing the multimodal issues on the list. Industry participants will have a chance to meet with NTSB leadership and discuss their perspectives. Register now to attend. 
Board Back to 5 Members

The NTSB welcomed aboard Michael Graham (top photo) and Thomas Chapman (bottom photo) as its newest board members, bringing the board to its full complement of five members for the first time since February 15, 2019. Graham was sworn in on January 3 by NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt and Chapman on January 6. President Donald J. Trump nominated  Graham  and  Chapman ,  and the Senate voted to confirm them December 19, 2019. Graham’s term as a board member is through 2025, and Chapman’s term runs through the end of 2023. For more information on their backgrounds and bios, read the release .
Meeting with Transportation Communicators
More than 15 industry communicators and public affairs professionals from all modes of transportation met with representatives from the Safety Advocacy Division within the NTSB’s Safety Recommendations and Communications Office on October 17 to share information about ongoing transportation safety initiatives and advocacy activities. The information-exchange meeting provided government and industry communicators the opportunity to network, share best practices on transportation safety outreach and messaging, and identify opportunities for advocacy partnerships on common issues. To join the twice yearly NTSB Communicator’s Advocacy Breakfast meeting, e-mail SafetyAdvocacy@ntsb.gov. 
INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY & OUTREACH
Chairman Presents at Two Safety Events in the UK

On December 4, in London, England, Chairman Robert Sumwalt addressed members of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, a nonprofit organization that advises the United Kingdom’s legislative bodies on air, rail, and road safety issues. Sumwalt highlighted recent NTSB accident investigations, discussing the findings of the fatal highway accident involving an SUV operating in a self-driving mode, and a fatal accident involving Southwest Airlines. Also, while in London the next day, Chairman Sumwalt delivered the keynote address at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers’ Driver and Pilots Alertness seminar. The Chairman shared NTSB concerns about the dangers of fatigue and distraction in transportation, specifically highlighting our MWL issues, “ Eliminate Distractions ” and “ Reduce Fatigue-Related Accidents .” 
AVIATION SAFETY
Alaska Roundtable Yields Important Ideas for Part 135 Operator Safety

On September 6, in Anchorage, Alaska, NTSB facilitated a roundtable of industry operators, government officials, educators, and aviation associations to discuss ways to improve the safety of Part 135 flight operations in Alaska. (Part 135 includes air medical service, air taxi, air tours, charter, and on-demand flights.) Twenty-nine panelists provided valuable insight into the unique challenges of flying in Alaska and offered strategies for preventing controlled flight into terrain—a prevalent issue in Alaska—loss of control in flight, midair collisions, and unintended instrument meteorological conditions. Chairman Robert Sumwalt moderated the event. More than 200 attended the roundtable and nearly 2,000 others watched the broadcast and recorded video. “ Improve the Safety of Part 135 Aircraft Flight Operations ” is on the NTSB’s MWL. Read our blog to learn about some of the key takeaways. 
Every Day is a Training Day: Focus of Air Traffic Controllers Conference

NTSB aviation safety (AS) investigators attended and exhibited at the National Air Traffic Controllers Association’s Communicating for Safety Conference in Las Vegas on September 16-18. Conference topics included training, emerging technologies, runway safety, unmanned aircraft systems, and commercial space. AS Investigators Charles Olvis, Mike Richards, and Shawn Etcher staffed an NTSB exhibit, providing information on NTSB recommendations and safety alerts, such as those related to managing flights safely in bad weather, which, if implemented, could make the U.S. National Airspace System even safer. 
Investigator Addresses
Part 135 Safety at Business Aircraft Operator Event

Aviation Safety Investigator Dave Lawrence presented key findings from accidents involving Part 135 flight operations at the National Business Aviation Aircraft Association’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas. He was part of an October 22 panel discussion called “Safety and Training Part 135 Operations.” NBAA-BACE provides a variety of professional development, information-sharing, and networking opportunities for the business aviation community.
Industry Action on DEF Safety

Prompted by several investigations into incidents involving diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) contamination that caused loss of power in aircraft engines, the NTSB released a safety alert in July to aviation fuel providers and air transportation associations urging them to find ways to prevent such contamination. The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) announced in late September that it was distributing free DEF decals so DEF storage containers could be clearly labeled, reducing the possibility of mistaking DEF for other liquids, such as fuel-system icing inhibitors. NATA also developed a resource page that includes the NTSB alert. 
HIGHWAY SAFETY
The Dangers of Cell Phone Use on Our Roads: Vice Chairman's Focus at Two Events

Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg played a prominent role in two distraction-related events in September and October. On September 24, Landsberg delivered the keynote address to an audience of law enforcement officers, government officials, educators, and corporate safety managers at the DriveSmart Virginia Distracted Driving Summit in Roanoke, Virginia. He shared the NTSB’s perspective and recommendations on distraction, explaining the agency’s recommendation to the states to ban driver use of portable electronic devices. The NTSB also exhibited, offering the more than 200 visitors to the booth information about our MWL issues. A month later, on October 24, the Vice Chairman facilitated a roundtable in Missouri discussing the dangers of distracted driving. The event was developed in coordination with the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, StopDistractions.org, and the University of Missouri. Roundtable panelists—who included distraction experts from across the country, legislators from Missouri, law enforcement, and victims’ advocates—discussed the severity of the problem, its implications, and solutions for combating distracted driving. Missouri was a focus because it has some of the weakest distracted-driving laws in the country. Read the Vice Chairman’s blog post on distraction. 
New NTSB Bicycle Safety Research Report Released

The NTSB issued its safety research report,  Bicyclist Safety on US Roadways: Crash Risks and Countermeasures , on December 5. The report included 22 safety recommendations addressing issues such as roadway and intersection design, collision avoidance technology, blind spot detection systems, and helmet use. In a public meeting on November 5, the Board discussed the safety issues it uncovered in this first report on bicycle safety in 47 years. Agency officials said that critical changes were needed to address the recent rise in fatal bicycle crashes involving motor vehicles, even as overall traffic deaths fell in 2018. 
Investigators Share Lessons Learned with CMV Truck Inspectors

Highway Safety Investigators Mike Fox, Sheryl Harley, Dave Pereira, and Kenneth Bragg attended and presented at the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Annual Conference and Exhibition in Biloxi, Mississippi, September 22–26. The conference provided the opportunity for government officials, law enforcement personnel, and industry members to work together to address topics and issues affecting the commercial motor vehicle community. About 800 people attended the event this year. Investigators provided updates on ongoing NTSB highway investigations and shared lessons learned from past crashes, particularly those uncovering safety issues involving occupant protection and automation.  
Speeding Dangers, Collision Avoidance Tech: Highlights of Member's ASIRT Brief

On November 4, Board Member Jennifer Homendy gave the keynote address at the Association for Safe International Road Travel’s Annual Gala to more than 170 attendees from government and nongovernmental road safety organizations and agencies, international road safety organizations, and corporations involved in road safety. She explained NTSB recommendations addressing two MWL issue areas, “ Implement a Comprehensive Strategy to Reduce Speeding-Related Crashes ,” and “ Increase Implementation of Collision Avoidance Systems in All New Highway Vehicles .” 
Speaking on the Role of LEOs in Promoting Highway Safety

The law enforcement officer (LEO) community plays a key role in improving highway safety and can help promote NTSB safety recommendation implementation, Safety Advocacy Chief Nicholas Worrell reminded Highway Safety Committee meeting attendees during the International Association of Chiefs of Police annual conference on October 28 in Chicago. Worrell highlighted the NTSB’s open highway safety recommendations and asked the LEO community to help implement them, pledging to continue to work with LEOs to share safety messaging and coordinate outreach activities. 
School Bus Crash Investigations Focus of School Bus Conferences

This fall, Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg, staff from the Office of Highway Safety, and advocates from the Safety Advocacy Division attended and presented to members of two major school bus and pupil transportation association conferences. On October 13, Landsberg provided the keynote at the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services conference in Arlington, Virginia. Highway Safety Deputy Director Kris Poland, Highway Crash Investigators Sheryl Harley and Meg Sweeney, and Safety Advocate Stephanie Shaw presented on crash investigations and NTSB school-bus–related recommendations. On November 3, the Vice Chairman, Harley, Sweeney, and Shaw again presented bus-safety information and accident lessons learned to the National Association for Pupil Transportation. For more information on NTSB school bus-related investigations and safety recommendations, visit our webpage and listen to our podcast .  
Vice Chairman to NPTC: Safe Trucking is Good Business

Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg spoke to nearly 100 corporate safety directors and operations managers from the trucking industry at the National Private Truck Council's National Safety Conference, telling them that “safe trucking is just good business.” In his September 12 keynote address in Orlando, Florida, to the organization’s membership, the Vice Chairman highlighted the importance of incorporating new driver-assist safety technologies in vehicles to help prevent crashes, as well fatigue management programs to combat challenging work schedules—both issues on our MWL. The NPTC’s membership includes private truck fleets owned and operated by major retailers and companies. Read his blog post on the visit. 
MARINE SAFETY
Marine Director Provides Insights on Workboat Safety Issues

Marine Safety Director Brian Curtis was a featured speaker at the International Workboat Show in New Orleans the week of December 3, presenting at both the Inland Waterways and Passenger Vessel Safety programs on the NTSB’s latest investigations, and as a participant in a Think Tank session discussing marine safety issues. Curtis discussed the lessons learned from our latest Safer Seas Digest and open marine recommendations on fatigue and distraction. The Workboat Show, which is produced by WorkBoat Magazine and WorkBoat.com, is a trade-only conference and expo for commercial vessel owners, operators, and builders, as well as the vendors and suppliers that serve them.
RAIL, PIPELINE & HAZMAT SAFETY
Rail Safety Week Activities:
PTC & Rail-Grade Crossings a Focus

September 23 kicked off Rail Safety Week, and this year, the NTSB conducted several activities to highlight rail safety issues, including, foremost, the need for immediate positive train control (PTC) implementation, an issue on our MWL. The theme this year, “Stop Track Tragedies,” also provided an opportunity to raise awareness about the need for rail safety education, and called attention to ways to stay safe near highway-rail grade crossings and railroad rights-of-way. Member Jennifer Homendy joined Safe Kids Worldwide , Metra , Union Pacific , and the DuPage Railroad Safety Council for a rail safety event in Elmhurst, Illinois, that week to highlight the importance of staying alert around highway-rail grade crossings and staying off the tracks. While in Illinois, Member Homendy continued her efforts to meet with the 41 railroads required to implement PTC by the December 2020 deadline. Safety Advocacy staff also developed a Behind-the-Scene @NTSB podcast about NTSB investigations and recommendations for staying safe near the tracks, and other rail safety issues, such as PTC. On November 7, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) proposed a rule that would require states to develop highway-rail grade crossing action plans—or update the action plans they have. The NTSB has long been concerned with and has made recommendations in this area. Get more info on PTC and hear our podcast . 
Taking the Lessons of Merrimack Directly to the Community

On October 25, the NTSB took the fairly uncommon step of directly briefing affected community members about the results of one of our investigative reports. Chairman Robert Sumwalt briefed Merrimack Valley, Massachusetts, residents about our findings and recommendations from our investigation into the September 13, 2018, natural gas explosions and fire in that region, which killed one person and resulted in 22 others being transported to area hospitals. The natural gas-fueled explosions and fires, which received national attention, damaged 131 structures in the city of Lawrence and the towns of Andover and North Andover. The public board meeting for the investigation was held on September 24 in Washington, D.C.
Member Keynote at American Gas Association Event

Board Member Jennifer Homendy addressed the American Gas Association Executive Leadership Safety Summit in Washington D.C., on December 3 about recent NTSB pipeline investigation findings and the importance of safety management systems, and urged the industry to find strategies to reach zero fatalities in the pipeline industry. She pointed to the airline industry as an example of how a transportation mode can implement safety recommendations and apply safety measures that ultimately change an organization’s safety culture to significantly reduce fatalities and injuries. 
YOUTH AND TEEN OUTREACH
Safety Chief at National Black Caucus Conference

“Leadership of Self, Excellence, Attitude and Determination (L.E.A.D)” was the theme of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) Annual Conference CRT School Visit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where Safety Advocacy Chief Nicholas Worrell met with state legislators and addressed more than 300 students from local high schools during their week-long conference December 4­–7. Worrell relayed the importance of leading on real-world safety issues such as distraction, fatigue, occupant protection, and impairment to improve safety on our roadways. He reminded attendees that the number one killer of teens ages 15–19 is car crashes. During the conference, NBCSL Leadership awarded Worrell the Benjamin S. Ruffin Corporate Round Table Member Award for exemplary service, dedication, and commitment to serving the community and advancing the mission of the organization at their annual conference.
FED & STATE LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
U.S. Senate: Chairman Testifies on Future of Boeing's 737 MAX

On October 29, Chairman Robert Sumwalt testified before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation about “Aviation Safety and the Future of Boeing’s 737 MAX.” He discussed the seven safety recommendations the NTSB issued to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on September 26, 2019, which resulted from our examination of relevant factors in the U.S. design certification process following two crashes of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
U.S. Senate: Chairman Testifies on Highly Automated Vehicle Deployment

On November 20, Chairman Robert Sumwalt testified before the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on “Highly Automated Vehicles: Federal Perspectives on the Deployment of Safety Technology.” He discussed recent crash investigations, saying that “while there is often a desire to jump directly to the end of the technological spectrum—highly automated ‘self-driving’ vehicles—it is imperative that regulators and policy makers do not ignore the risks associated with partial driving automation systems currently operating on our highways.”
U.S. House: Marine Director Testifies on Commercial, Passenger Vessel Safety

On November 14, Marine Safety Director Brian Curtis testified before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure about “Commercial and Passenger Vessel Safety: Challenges and Opportunities.” His testimony highlighted the importance of safety management systems in marine operations, citing lessons learned from recent major marine accidents such as the sinking of the El Faro, Island Lady, and Stretch Duck 7 . 
Massachusetts: Testimony on Primary Safety Belt Enforcement

On October 22, Safety Advocate Stephanie Shaw testified before the Joint Public Safety Committee, which is considering legislation that would authorize primary enforcement of its seat belt law. She discussed NTSB recommendations related to primary enforcement seat belt laws that apply to all vehicle occupants.
South Carolina: Testimony on Distracted Driving Law

On October 29, Safety Advocate Stephanie Shaw testified before the South Carolina Transportation Subcommittee about distracted driving, supporting expansion of the state’s current law from a texting ban to a full hands-free law. Currently, 20 states have a hands-free law in place, and 48 states have bans against texting while driving.
SELECT NTSB REPORTS, ALERTS & STUDIES
The following reports, released between September and December 2019, featured Most Wanted List safety issues.
MWL PROGRESS REPORT

  • States continue to make incremental progress toward the NTSB’s goal to ban the nonemergency use of portable electronic devices while driving. Since the last Spotlight release, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, on November 25, signed legislation stipulating that no motor vehicle operator may use electronic devices while driving, unless the technology is being used hands-free. The legislation also sets forth penalties for violating the law and requires law enforcement officers report data on violations. NTSB staff joined Baker at the signing ceremony, along with Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, state leaders, and advocacy groups. Also, on December 23, Virginia State Sen. Scott Surovell introduced a bill that would make it illegal to use a hand-held cell phone while driving. Right now, the state only bans texting while driving. Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg joined Virginia legislators, DriveSmart Virginia, law enforcement, and victim advocates in a press conference that same day calling attention to the need to strengthen the distracted driving law in the Commonwealth.

  • According to a study published by Rosenblum Law/TrafficTickets.com in November, Oregon had the strictest texting-while-driving law in the United States, with a maximum fine of $1,000 for the offense, which is 10 times the median fine in the United States. The second-strictest state, Utah, fines drivers as much as $750 for a first offense. The company analyzed every texting-while-driving law in the country to determine which are the harshest and which are the most lenient.


  • The Transportation Safety Board of Canada released an Air Transportation Safety Issue Investigation report in November called “Raising the Bar on Safety: Reducing the Risks Associated with Air-taxi Operations in Canada,” which identifies safety issues in the air taxi sector (including helicopters that transport injured or ill patients to hospitals, floatplanes, and airplanes that take workers to remote areas). Many air taxi types fall within the scope of the NTSB’s MWL Part 135 issue area. The report makes recommendations similar to the NTSB’s, including those related to safety management systems, technologies, and data collection. 


  • The NTSB closed six safety recommendations acceptably that called for a variety of improvements to pipeline safety, including improved inspection programs, better records and documentation of natural gas systems, application of the management-of-change process to identify natural gas system threats, procedures to mitigate risks identified during management-of-change operations, and inclusion of professional engineers in the engineering plan and constructability review processes, as well as in public utility engineering drawings in Massachusetts. Safety Recommendation P-18-1 was issued to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), and Safety Recommendations P-18-7 and P-18-9 were issued to NiSource. Safety Recommendation P-18-5 to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and P-18-6 and P-18-8 to NiSource were issued in the wake of the Merrimack Valley, Massachusetts, natural-gas­–fueled explosion that damaged 126 structures, destroyed five homes, sent 22 people to area hospitals, and killed one person. 

  • On October 1, PHMSA issued three new rules: the MAOP Reconfirmation Rule, which addresses issues that contributed to the San Bruno, California, natural gas pipeline explosion in 2010; the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Rule, which promulgates a number of new regulations for pipelines transporting crude oil or refined petroleum products; and the Enhanced Emergency Order Procedures Rule, which augments PHMSA’s existing authority to protect life, property, and the environment. The first two rules will take effect on July 1, 2020; the third took effect on Dec. 2, 2019.
 

  • All motor carriers and drivers subject to the DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) electronic logging devices (ELD) final rule were required to have an ELD in use by December 17, satisfying an NTSB recommendation. This deadline also pertained to grandfathered automatic onboard recording devices (AOBRDs), which will no longer be allowed under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations to provide records of duty status as a substitute for a required ELD. 

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are seeking comments on a proposed study of the effectiveness of the North American Fatigue Management Program (NAFMP). The CDC and NIOSH plan to observe 180 long-haul and regional truck drivers using in-vehicle monitoring systems, questionnaires, sensors, and smartphones to collect data. The NAFMP, recommended by the NTSB to combat workplace fatigue, was developed by the FMCSA, Transport Canada, and others to address commercial motor vehicle driver fatigue. The NTSB is commenting on the proposal. 


  • In January, two FMCSA regulations will go into effect. The agency is increasing the minimum annual percentage rate for random drug testing of commercial drivers from 25 percent of the average number of driver positions to 50 percent. This change was announced in the Federal Register and will take effect January 1, 2020. Also, the agency's Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse final rule goes into effect on January 6. Motor carrier companies will have to register with the clearinghouse in order to upload information about an employee driver’s positive tests or refusals to take a test, and also to query the system for current or prospective drivers. 

  • The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched a new OTC/Rx Impaired Driving Prevention Initiative, which ran from Sept. 23–Nov. 17. According to NHTSA, impaired driving is generally associated with alcohol, prescription drug abuse, or illegal drug use, but the use of legally obtained prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medication can also impair drivers. The NTSB’s MWL issue area includes OTC medications and their risks across all modes of transportation. 

  • One-third of U.S. industry sectors experienced year-over-year double-digit increases in workforce drug positivity between 2015 and 2018, according to a new analysis of industry-specific data by Quest Diagnostics released on September 11. The Quest Diagnostics Drug Testing index is an analysis of more than 14 million urine drug tests of the general U.S. workforce in 17 different sectors. Among the sectors that recorded double-digit jumps, Transportation & Warehousing tops the list, with a 34.5 percent increase. Marijuana was the most commonly detected drug, with the highest positivity rates, in the majority of sectors. 


  • According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, as of December 17, 2019, four carmakers equipped virtually all the light vehicles they produced for the U.S. market between Sept. 1, 2018, and Aug. 31, 2019, with automatic emergency braking (AEB), three years ahead of a 2022 target. Audi and Volvo joined Mercedes-Benz and Tesla, which hit the target last year, in outfitting all their light passenger vehicles with the crash avoidance technology, according to manufacturer reports. In total, several million more vehicles were produced with AEB, compared with the previous year. The reports are submitted annually as part of a voluntary commitment by 20 manufacturers to equip all but the heaviest passenger vehicles with the crash avoidance technology by Sept. 1, 2022. 

  • NHTSA announced on October 16 that it plans to propose significant updates and upgrades to the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) in 2020. The upgraded NCAP will address new technologies, new test procedures, updates to vehicle labeling, and advancements in crash-test dummies, among with other improvements. NHTSA will also consider new technologies tied to the safety of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users, such as cyclists. NTSB Board Member Jennifer Homendy commented on the announcement in a blog.

  • On November 21, at the Federal Register, NHTSA published a request for comment on draft research test procedures to assess certain types of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The agency is looking at whether nine draft research test procedures adequately assess ADAS performance in a test track environment. The NTSB has long called for NHTSA to develop performance measures for collision avoidance technologies such as automatic emergency braking and collision warning. 

  • AAA, Consumer Reports, J.D. Power, and the National Safety Council announced in November that they had worked together to develop standardized naming for advanced driver assistance technology to reduce confusion among drivers about the variety of available technologies. In recent years, the NTSB has held two roundtables on collision avoidance technologies and the need for better consumer education and awareness; a standardized naming system was one suggested action that came out of the roundtables.

  • Commercial vehicle fleets continue to incorporate advanced safety technologies into their fleet operations, a new benchmarking report from the National Private Truck Council found. With the exception of electronic stability control and tire inflation, all the safety technologies showed single-digit gains year over year. Nearly 45 percent of the council’s members reported use of some sort of collision warning or lane departure warning.

  • The two leading suppliers of advanced safety technologies for commercial vehicles—Bendix and WABCO—announced that they now offer retrofit options for heavy-duty truck fleets seeking to incorporate advanced driver assistance systems into older vehicles. Typically, collision avoidance systems came only with the purchase of new trucks; the Bendix Retrofit Upgrade Program upgrades vehicles that did not come factory equipped with Bendix advanced safety technologies, such as the Bendix Wingman Fusion driver assistance system. WABCO OnGuardACTIVE offers a retrofit kit for its collision mitigation product that, it claims, is fast and easy to install. 


  • The NTSB issued four new safety recommendations, H-19-14, H-19-15, H-19-16, and H-19-17, and reiterated one recommendation H-15-42 in response to the limousine crash in Schoharie, New York, in October 2018. The recommendations are aimed at providing better occupant protection for limousine passengers.

  • The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), Volvo Cars USA, and Uber joined forces to establish November 14 of each year as National Seat Belt Day. The day will serve as a yearly reminder of the importance of in-vehicle safety, regardless of whether one is a driver or passenger. Also, on November 18, the GHSA, with support by Uber, released a report highlighting the hazards of unbelted passengers in the back seat, titled “Rear Seat Belt Use: Little Change in Four Years, Much More to Do.” This spotlight report explores adult rear seat belt use rates, state laws and enforcement, and public education efforts. 


  • The GHSA and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced on October 24 that their organizations were working with the National Road Safety Foundation to award one or more grants in 2020 to develop and implement a speed-management pilot program for states and communities. IIHS will evaluate the pilot program with the goal of identifying a model that can serve as a national template. The speed project grew out of an April 2019 national forum hosted by IIHS and GHSA that brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss ways to address the speed problem.


  • The NTSB closed three recommendations, R-14-62, R-14-64, and R-14-65, “Acceptable Action.” These recommendations were made as part of the special investigation report we issued on organizational factors identified in Metro-North railroad accidents. Our recommendations urged the Metro-North and Long Island Railroads to develop and implement protocols for screening employees for and treating sleep disorders to ensure that employees in safety-sensitive positions are fit for duty. 


  • The FRA released a quarterly status update in November on railroads’ self-reported progress toward fully implementing PTC systems. All railroads have committed to fully implementing PTC on their required main lines by December 31, 2020. 
UPCOMING EVENTS (Look for us here!)
Jan. 12-16
Conference
(Washington, DC)
Jan. 27-30
Conference:
(Anaheim, CA)


Feb. 4
Meeting:
(NTSB Board Room)
March 2-3
Meeting/
Conference:
(NTSB Training Center)
March 9
Roundtable:
(Crystal City, VA)
March 15-17
Conference
(Tampa, FL)
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