Vol 7- Issue 3
Highlighting NTSB Advocacy in Action (Fall/Winter 2021)
The Big Stories
A Call for a Paradigm Shift in Road Safety
During her keynote presentation at the Governor’s Highway Safety Association Conference on Sept. 13, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy called for a fundamental change in the nation’s approach to highway safety in the face of increasing crash and fatality numbers. According to the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 20,160 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the first half of 2021, up 18.4 percent over 2020—the largest 6-month increase ever recorded in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System’s history.  Read more about Homendy's keynote.
Launch of National Distracted Driving Coalition
Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg and Safety Advocacy Chief Nicholas Worrell joined government officials and transportation safety advocates to announce the launch of the National Distracted Driving Coalition at the 8th Annual Distracted Driving Summit in Virginia Beach, Virginia, held on Sept. 16–17. The NTSB is a consulting member of the coalition.  Read more about the announcement.
Transportation Communicator's & Advocates Breakfast
On Nov. 3, staff from our Safety Advocacy Division met with about 20 other communicators and advocates representing all modes of transportation to discuss the NTSB's latest advocacy initiatives related to the new MWL, as well as other upcoming NTSB safety events and advocacy activities. Read more about the breakfast.
Aviation Safety
National Business Aviation Aircraft Conference Presentations
Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg and Aviation Safety Investigators Aaron McCarter, Dave Lawrence, Mike Folkerts, and Fabian Salazar highlighted our two aviation MWL safety item topics related to safety management systems (SMS) and flight data recorders, as well as related investigations, in multiple presentations to attendees of the National Business Aviation Aircraft (NBAA) Business Aviation Safety Convention & Exhibition (BASCE) in Las Vegas. Read more about the NTSB presentations at NBAA.
Recorders Needed in All Passenger-Carrying Aircraft
Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg and Research and Engineering Recorder Specialists Chris Babcock and Sean Payne met with members of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) in Wichita, Kansas, on Sept. 14 to discuss ways to implement our recorder recommendations, which have emerged out of several investigations over the last two decades.  Read more about our meeting with GAMA.
Southeast Aviation Roundtable Discussion
On Sept.14, Board Member Michael Graham delivered a virtual presentation about our new MWL to the Southeast Aviation Safety Round Table, which consists of about 30 people representing some of the largest corporate flight departments in the country. Read more about what Graham told round table attendees.
Unalaska, Alaska, Penn Air Board Meeting
On Nov. 2, the Board met to discuss the Oct. 17, 2019, runway overrun of a Saab 2000 airplane, operated by Peninsula Aviation Services Inc., dba PenAir flight 3296, at the Unalaska Airport in Alaska. One passenger died and one passenger sustained serious injuries. Read more about the Board meeting. 
NTSB Aviation Safety Data Release
On Nov. 17, the NTSB released US civil aviation accident rates for 2020, which showed that fatalities decreased overall amid broad reductions in flight activity. Here’s  Read more about what our data revealed.
A Focus on the Benefits of SMS in Aviation Operations
In early December, our aviation safety advocacy efforts focused on educating the flying public and passenger-carrying flight operators about the importance and safety benefits of SMS in flight operations. We know that ensuring an SMS in all flight operations can improve flight safety.  Read more about our SMS advocacy.
Progress toward Addressing Alaska Aviation Safety Recs
On Oct. 14, the FAA released recommendations on how to increase aviation safety in Alaska after its yearlong examination of safety issues specific to the challenges of flying in the region, where more than 80 percent of its communities are accessible only by air. Read more about the FAA recs.
Upset Recovery Training for Professional Pilots Worldwide
On Oct. 5, Member Michael Graham provided the opening remarks for the 2021 Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) Safety Summit for Professional Pilots Worldwide, an event hosted by Aviation Performance Solutions LLC. Read more about the training event.
Highway Safety
NTSB Continues Push for Adoption of 'Safe System' Approach
Impaired Driving Prevention Month Activities
The White House declared December National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, stating its commitment to “reducing the number of impaired drivers and raising awareness about the dangers of driving impaired.”  Read more about our advocacy regarding impairment.
Improving Safety on Louisiana Roadways
On Nov. 17, Chair Jennifer Homendy discussed our safe systems approach MWL safety item and other highway-related safety items in a presentation at the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission’s (LHSC) Zero in On Safety virtual safety summit. Read more about what Homendy told highway safety professionals.
Together for Safer Roads Keynote
Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg delivered the opening keynote address at the Together for Safer Roads 2021 Annual Meeting on Sept.14. He discussed how data can help public health officials and road safety practitioners implement strategies and interventions to improve public safety.  Read more about Landsberg's presentation.
Improving Truck Safety - Tips to Private Truckers
Commercial truck crashes make up a large portion of our highway safety investigations, and recent data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration show that fatal crashes involving large trucks increased by 2 percent in 2019, despite fewer miles traveled. This is one reason that Board Member Michael Graham traveled to Orlando, Florida, to give the keynote presentation at the National Private Truck Council’s (NPTC’s) Annual Conference on Sept. 8.  Read more about Graham's presentation.
Highway Safety Director Keynote at Fleet Safety Experience
Highway Safety Director Rob Molloy delivered the opening keynote, entitled “Anatomy of a Crash,” on Sept. 21 at the Fleet Safety Experience, a conference produced by the publishers of Automotive Fleet, Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT), and Work Truck magazines.  Read more about Molloy's presentation.
Buckling Up in the Back Seat
On Sept. 27, Chair Jennifer Homendy joined Gov. Ned Lamont as well as representatives of the Connecticut Department of Transportation Office of Highway Safety and AAA in Hartford, Connecticut, to announce the Oct. 1 enactment of Connecticut’s new seat belt law, which mandates that all back-seat passengers buckle up. Read more about our advocacy on this seat belt law. 
Network of Employers Conference Keynote
On Oct. 21, Member Tom Chapman delivered a keynote address to members attending the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) 2021 Annual Strength in Numbers Fleet Safety Benchmark Conference. Read more about Chapman's presentation.
Safety Challenge to Black Caucus, Minority Youth
Pedestrian Safety Month and a Focus on VRUs
October was National Pedestrian Safety Month, which highlights safety awareness by pedestrians and driver awareness of pedestrians. We joined the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other highway safety groups to highlight safety around walking and biking—particularly near schools (#WalkToSchoolDay and #BikeToSchoolDay). Read more about our activities.
Discussing Safe Systems at ITS America Convention
Chair Jennifer Homendy delivered a keynote presentation on Dec. 8 titled “Safer and More Equitable Mobility” at the Intelligent Transportation Society (ITS) America 2021 Annual Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. Read more about what Homendy attendees.
Dangers to Vulnerable Road Users Podcast
Our roadways were designed to move motor vehicles safely and efficiently. As such, they often do not fully meet the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists— vulnerable road users (VRUs). As a result, dangers to this population are increasing, including accidents involving vehicles and VRUs. Read more about our VRU podcast.
New Automated Vehicles Web Page
The NTSB has launched a new “Automated Vehicles” safety topic web page on ntsb.gov designed to be a one-stop-shop for all your information on our perspectives regarding automated vehicles. Read more about our AV web page.
Marine Safety
Improve Fishing Vessel Safety - A MWL Roundtable
Chair Jennifer Homendy and Office of Marine Safety Director Morgan Turrell hosted a virtual roundtable on improving fishing vessel safety on Oct. 14. The commercial fishing industry remains largely uninspected and is a sector of concern in marine transportation, consistently topping the list of most deadly occupations, due in large part to challenging work environments that include poor weather and rough waters. Read more about our roundtable and other fishing vessel safety advocacy.
Board Meeting - Dredging Vessel Waymon Boyd
On Dec. 7, the Board met to determine the probable cause of the fatal Aug. 21, 2020, hazardous liquid pipeline strike and subsequent explosion and fire aboard the dredging vessel Waymon Boyd in Corpus Christi, Texas.  Read more about the Board meeting.
Marine Underwriters Role in Fishing Vessel Safety
Marine Safety Director Morgan Turrell was one of 10 expert speakers invited to present at the American Institute of Marine Underwriters (AIMU) virtual 2021 Marine Insurance Day Seminar on Oct. 21, a collaborative effort of the AIMU—the trade association representing the US ocean marine insurance industry—and the American Marine Insurance Forum, Association of Average Adjusters of the US and Canada, Inland Marine Underwriters Association, and Marine and Insurance Claims Association. Read more about Turrell's visit.
Recs from Investigation of Roll-on, Roll-off Vehicle Carrier
On Dec. 1, we issued a marine accident report detailing the investigation, findings, and recommendations related to the June 4, 2020, accident involving the 600-foot-long, Norwegian-flagged roll-on/roll-off vehicle carrier Höegh Xiamen. Read more about our findings and recommendations.
Rail, Pipeline & Hazmat Safety
Calling Attention to Gas Pipeline Safety Concerns
Staff from the NTSB’s Office of Rail, Pipeline, and Hazardous Materials Investigations (RPH) presented information and updates about recent pipeline accident investigations and debuted our new residential pipeline leak detection public service announcement video at the 2021 American Gas Association (AGA) Operations Conference and Biennial Exhibition Oct. 4–7 in Kissimmee, Florida. Read more about our presentations and new video.
Rail Worker Safety Call to Action
Throughout the month of September, we focused our advocacy efforts on highlighting the dangers to rail roadway workers and our MWL safety item, “Improve Rail Worker Safety.” Read more about our advocacy call to action.
National Rail Safety Week - Dangers on our Tracks
Every 3 hours in the United States, a vehicle or a pedestrian is hit by a train. In support of Operation Lifesaver’s Rail Safety Week, which kicked off Sept. 20, Member Tom Chapman and Safety Advocacy staff reminded the general public that too many people are killed or injured in preventable accidents involving trains and tracks. Read more about our advocacy to improve track safety.
A Message to Gas Pipeline Executives
On Nov.17, Chair Jennifer Homendy provided an overview of NTSB’s mission and role in pipeline safety to natural gas utility executives and safety directors attending the American Gas Association’s (AGA) Leadership Safety Summit. Read more about what Homendy told execs.
Keynote at APTA Virtual Mid-Year Safety Seminar
On Dec. 15., Chair Jennifer Homendy provided the keynote address at the 2021 Risk Management & Mid-Year Safety Seminar - An American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Virtual Event. Read more about Homendy's APTA presentation.
Youth & Teen Outreach
National Teen Driver Safety Week & Roundtable Series
During Teen Driver Safety Week, Oct. 17–23, the NTSB held two virtual roundtables to discuss the state of teen driver safety and graduated driver license (GDL) laws. With opening remarks by Member Tom Chapman, the roundtable discussions featured perspectives from 12 teen driver safety experts. Read more about our roundtables and other teen driver safety advocacy.
Detour 2021- Virtual Youth Traffic Safety Summit
NTSB Safety Advocacy Chief Nicholas Worrell addressed youth participating in the virtual Detour 2021: Youth Traffic Safety Summit, an interactive conference for youth, adults, and influencers who are working every day to make roads safer for teens. Read more about Worrell's presentation.
International Advocacy
NTSB Perspectives on Global Traffic Safety
In October and November, Chair Jennifer Homendy looked beyond our borders to the larger global traffic safety picture—to the 1.35 million deaths on roadways throughout the world, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On Oct. 26, Chair Homendy and NTSB staff met with Jean Todt, the United Nations’ (UN’s) Special Envoy for Road Safety. Read more about Homendy's meeting with the UN Envoy.
Regulatory / Legislative Activities
Infrastructure Bill Advances Key NTSB Priorities
On Nov. 15, President Joe Biden signed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill into law that will deliver $550 billion of new federal investments in America’s infrastructure over 5 years. Chair Jennifer Homendy released a statement regarding the action. Read more about the items that will improve transportation safety.
Kentucky - Personal Electronic Devices Ban
On Nov. 15, State and Local Liaison Steve Blackistone testified before the Joint Interim Transportation Committee for the Kentucky General Assembly in Frankfurt, Kentucky, regarding a bill to prohibit driving while using electronic communications devices. Learn more about our distraction recommendations.
Massachusetts - Primary Enforcement of Seat Belt Use Ban
On Oct.13, at a virtual hearing, Safety Advocate Stephanie Shaw testified in support of HB 2515 and SB 1591, which, if enacted, would authorize primary enforcement of Massachusetts’s existing seat belt use law. Learn more about our recommendation to the states. 
Select NTSB Reports, Alerts & Studies
NEW! MWL Advocacy Tool Kit: Want to help advocate for our MWL safety improvements? Check out our new tool kit, which includes social media graphics, issue descriptions, sample media releases, and more.
Aviation Accident Report: Runway Overrun, PenAir flight 3296
Marine Accident Brief: Collision Between Tanker Bow Fortune and Fishing Vessel Pappy’s Pride (MWL: fishing vessel) 
Marine Accident Brief: Engine Room Fire aboard Fishing Vessel Lucky Angel (MWL: fishing vessel)
Marine Accident Brief: Engine Room Fire aboard Fishing Vessel Master Dylan (MWL: fishing vessel)
NTSB annual report to Congress, summarizing our 2020 accomplishments
Rail, Pipeline, Hazmat Safety Alert: Passenger Railcar Wheelset Alert
Railroad Accident Brief: Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority Train Struck Two Track Workers (MWL: rail worker safety)
Railroad Accident Brief: CSX Transportation Employee Fatality (MWL: rail worker safety)
Railroad Accident Report: Amtrak Roadway Worker Fatality (MWL: rail worker safety)
MWL Progress Report - Hits & Misses
Upcoming Events
February
8
We will hold a virtual public board meeting to consider the draft final report on the Jan. 5, 2020, multivehicle crash near Mt. Pleasant Township, Pennsylvania.
March
13-15
NTSB staff and Board Members will present on a variety of highway safety issues at this key highway safety professionals event.
April
1-30
NTSB will highlight our recommendations and investigations involving distraction and feature unique content on our social media.
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We look forward to continuing to work with you to prevent accidents and save lives.