NTSB CHAIRMAN ENCOURAGES MOTORISTS AND BOATERS TO PUT SAFETY FIRST

[NTSB Press Releases <NTSBPressReleases@xxxxxxxx>]

Title: NTSB CHAIRMAN ENCOURAGES MOTORISTS AND BOATERS TO PUT SAFETY FIRST

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                      NTSB PRESS RELEASE
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National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2008
SB-08-22

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NTSB CHAIRMAN ENCOURAGES MOTORISTS AND BOATERS TO PUT SAFETY
FIRST

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - With Memorial Day opening the summer
travel season, National Transportation Safety Board Chairman
Mark V. Rosenker encourages all Americans to enjoy a safer
summer by keeping a few simple precautions in mind.

While the vast majority of motorists arrive safely at their
destinations, on average, over 100 people die every day on
U.S. roads in traffic accidents.  And during a holiday
weekend, that number can spike considerably.  "Those
traveling by car should do their part to make the Memorial
Day weekend and summer safer by doing three things," said
Rosenker.  "First, don't put yourself or others in danger by
combining alcohol with driving; second, always buckle your
seatbelt and secure little ones in age-appropriate child
restraints, even for short trips; and third, don't continue
to drive when tired.  Many fatigued drivers who drift to
sleep during road trips never wake up."

Rosenker also noted that motorcycle operators and passengers
can significantly enhance their own safety just by wearing a
motorcycle helmet every time they ride.  "If every rider
donned a helmet, the number of riders losing their lives or
sustaining serious head injuries in accidents would decline
substantially.  I strongly encourage all riders to protect
themselves with this crucial piece of equipment."

Rosenker also emphasized the importance of the use of
personal flotation devices (PFDs) for recreational boaters.
Every year more than 700 boaters die on U.S. waterways, and
about 70% of those are by drowning.  Most of those that
drowned were in small boats, those less than 21 feet long. 
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the use of a personal
flotation device (PFD) would have prevented at least 80% of
those drowning deaths.  Rosenker reminds Americans that "the
use of a PFD is the single-most effective measure people can
take to enhance their safety while enjoying recreational
boating activities."

While accident statistics define the scope of the challenges
to transportation safety, Rosenker say that everyone can
make a difference. "In the last 10 years alone we have lost
more than 400,000 Americans on the nation's roadways, and
more than 7,000 in boating accidents.  We must reduce these
numbers," implored the NTSB Chairman.  "Too many families
endure the tragedy of an accidental death during the summer
travel season.  I encourage everyone to travel smart by
taking a few simple precautions that can make a big
difference in personal safety."

See the NTSB Safety Alert on motorcycle safety on the
Board's website at http://www.ntsb.gov/alerts/SA_012.pdf

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NTSB Media Contact: Peter Knudson
(202) 314-6100
peter.knudson@xxxxxxxx

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