New to NTSB ‘Most Wanted’ list for 2016: Reduce fatigue-related crashes

Washington – The National Transportation Safety Board has issued a wake-up call regarding the need to reduce fatigue-related crashes by including the issue in its list of “Most Wanted” safety improvements for 2016.

NTSB highlighted fatigue-related crashes along with nine other pressing issues for transportation safety in its annual list. Agency leaders announced the top 10 issues Jan. 13 during the 95th annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board, which helps develop transportation safety technology.

In addition to reducing fatigue-related crashes, NTSB’s new issues for 2016 are:

• Improve rail transit safety oversight.
• Promote availability of collision-avoidance technologies in highway vehicles.
• Strengthen occupant protection.
• Expand the use of recorders.
• Promote completion of rail safety initiatives (combining 2015 issues of implementing positive train control and improving rail tank car safety).

The list also includes four return issues from 2015:

• Disconnect from deadly distractions.
• Prevent loss of control in flight in general aviation.
• End substance impairment in transportation.
• Require medical fitness for duty.

Participants at the announcement included NTSB Chairman Christopher A. Hart, NTSB Vice Chairman T. Bella Dinh-Zarr, and NTSB board members Robert Sumwalt and Earl Weener.

Former NTSB chair and current National Safety Council President and CEO Deborah A.P. Hersman praised the board for including issues such as collision-avoidance technologies, impaired driving and distracted driving.

“Our cars are safer and smarter than ever before, yet we continue to lose 35,000 people each year in car crashes,” Hersman said in a press release. “The Most Wanted List is a roadmap guiding us toward zero deaths on the roads.”