According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), approximately 10,000 people die in drinking and driving related crashes every year. In an attempt to reach a goal of zero alcohol and impaired related deaths, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are recommending that states implement laws that will work toward that goal. Continue reading
Tag Archives: National Transportation Safety Board
NTSB Wants Total Phone Ban For Drivers
On Tuesday, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) called for a nationwide ban on the use of cell phones and text messaging devices while driving. With over a decade of investigations, the group found that as mobile devices become cheaper and more powerful, the problem of distracted driving has also increased. Right now, 9 states ban the use of hand held phones, and 35 states ban texting while driving, but the NTSB is urging states to go one step further. They have recommended that every state adopt a law that will stop the use of hands free devices as well. According to Deborah Hersman, chairwoman of the NTSB, “Our safety concerns are not just about drivers keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, but it is also about keeping people focused on the act of driving.”
The Alliance for Automobile Manufacturers, agrees that the problem of driving while distracted needs to be addressed, but it also defends integrated systems that allow drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road while sill staying connected. “Consumers have come to expect 24/7 connectivity, changing and enforcing that could be difficult.” The complete ban on phone use by drivers would also impact many car makers who offer integrated hands-free and voice-activated systems.
NTSB Most Wanted List For Transportation Safety
In order to combat the high incidences of motor vehicle accidents the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has put together a “Most Wanted List” of transportation safety improvements and notable “Most Wanted” successes of last year. While most items are related to aviation, operator problems for truckers, and motor coaches, there are several issues that may affect the every day driver. Below is a list of problems the NTSB hopes to improve.
- Child Occupant Protection:
- Review existing laws and bring in legislation that would require children up to 8 years old to wear child restraints and use booster seats.
- Enforcement of Seat Belt Laws:
- Strengthening the law by allowing officers to ticket drivers for not wearing seat belts without having to observe another offense first.
- Implementing fines and driver’s license penalty points.
- Eliminate Distractions for Young Drivers:
- Prohibit the use of interactive wireless communications devices by young novice drivers.
- Restrict the number of teen passengers traveling with young novice drivers.
- Enact graduated driver licensing legislation.
- Reduce Drinking and Driving:
- Frequent, statewide sobriety checkpoints.
- More effective measures for first time arrests with high blood alcohol concentration and repeat offenders.
- Zero blood alcohol requirement for those already convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI).
- Administrative license revocation for refusing to take or failing an evidential test for alcohol.
- Vehicle sanctions for DWI offenders to separate drinking from driving.
- Elimination of plea-bargaining DWI offenses and programs that divert offenders and purge offense records.
- DWI offense records retention for at least 10 years to identify repeat offenders.
- Special sanction court-based programs such as DWI courts for hard core DWI offenders.
- Improve Motorcycle Safety:
- Require that all persons shall wear a Department of Transportation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218-compliant motorcycle helmet while driving or as a passenger on any motorcycle.
