NTSB CHAIRMAN REMINDS AMERICANS TO KEEP EYES ON SAFETY THIS JULY 4

[NTSB Press Releases <NTSBPressReleases@xxxxxxxx>]

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                      NTSB PRESS RELEASE
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National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 2, 2008
SB-08-31

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NTSB CHAIRMAN REMINDS AMERICANS TO
KEEP EYES ON SAFETY THIS JULY 4

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	National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Mark V. 
Rosenker today reminded all Americans that the upcoming 
Independence Day Weekend should be a time for celebration 
with friends and family, not a time to visit the emergency 
room because someone didn't take prudent and easy 
precautions when traveling.

	"The easiest and most effective safety precaution you 
can take this weekend - and every weekend - is to wear your 
safety belt when in a motor vehicle," Rosenker said.  
"Thousands of Americans die every year, and many more 
thousands are injured, because they failed to secure that 
belt.  In fact, more than half of automobile occupants who 
die in crashes are unrestrained."

	Other safety measures everyone should remember are:

	-- Do not drink and drive.  Make sure you have a 
designated driver to take you home if you consume 
alcohol.
	-- Make sure that babies and young children are properly 
restrained in child safety seats or booster seats 
appropriate to their size and that they ride in the 
back seat.
	-- When engaging in recreational boating, a popular 
pastime during the summer months, wear a personal 
flotation device (PFD) and, again, do not operate a 
boat if you have consumed alcohol.

Increasing seat belt usage, eliminating drinking and 
driving, and requiring PFDs for children on boats are issues 
on the NTSB's List of Most Wanted Safety Improvements.

The NTSB has issued safety alerts reminding people 
that safety should be the first priority.  These and other 
Board safety alerts can be found on the NTSB's website using 
the following link:
http://www.ntsb.gov/alerts/alerts.htm

*Child Passenger Safety (SA-002)
*Hard Core Drinking Divers (SA-004)
*Primary Seat Belt Laws (SA-005)
*Recreational Boating Safety (SA-007)
*Passenger Vessel Safety (SA-009)
*Small Passenger Charter Fishing Vessels (SA-010)
*Alarming Rise in Motorcycle Deaths (SA-012)

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NTSB Press Contact:	Ted Lopatkiewicz
			(202) 314-6100
			lopatt@xxxxxxxx








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