Winter 2009, Vol. 12 No. 1

NTSB Releases 2009 "Most Wanted" Transportation Safety Improvements

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) held a press conference on November 25 to announce its annual "most wanted" list of transportation safety improvements directed at state governments. NTSB Members discussed the status of state laws addressing:

• booster seats for children up to age 8;
  
  
• primary enforcement of seat belt use;
  
  
• eliminating distractions for young drivers through graduated licensing;
  
  
• eliminating hard core drinking drivers; and
  
  
• recreational boating issues.

NTSB called on states currently lacking specific safety measures to enact these laws to prevent many fatalities and injuries from occurring on America's roadways. The Agency urged states to prohibit novice drivers from using wireless communication devices and traveling with other young passengers. Recommendations dealing with hard core drinking included: frequent sobriety checkpoints; zero BAC for repeat offenders; administrative license revocation; vehicle sanctions; elimination of plea bargaining; records retention of at least 10 years; and more DWI courts or similar programs.

Maps and tables providing state-by-state details for each of the recommendations can be found on the Board's website http://ntsb.gov/Recs/mostwanted/state_issues.htm.