NTSB -- NTSB COMMENDS OPERATION LIFESAVER AS A LEADER IN REDUCING HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSING ACCIDENTS SINCE ORGANIZATION'S FOUNDING

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NTSB PRESS RELEASE

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National Transportation Safety Board

Washington, DC 20594

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 30, 2010

SB-10-33

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NTSB COMMENDS OPERATION LIFESAVER AS A LEADER IN REDUCING

HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSING ACCIDENTS SINCE ORGANIZATION'S

FOUNDING

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In a speech today at the Operation Lifesaver, Inc.(OLI)

Symposium in Baltimore, Maryland, National Transportation

Safety Board Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman commended OLI for

its leading role in efforts to reduce highway-rail grade

crossing accidents by more than 80 percent since its

founding in 1972.

"We rely on the great work of organizations like Operation

Lifesaver to apply commonsense, life-saving solutions at the

grassroots level throughout our country," said Chairman

Hersman, "but for all the remarkable progress that's been

made in [Operation Lifesaver's] 38-year history, there is

much more work to be done."

Chairman Hersman noted that there were 245 fatalities and

708 injuries at grade crossings in 2009. She went on to

identify the three primary factors contributing to virtually

all grade crossing accidents: the vehicle, the environment

or the driver. She then highlighted specific NTSB accident

investigations that identified one of these three elements

as being a key part of the probable cause of each crash.

While pointing out a few examples where the vehicle and the

environment were causal factors, Chairman Hersman noted that

more than 90 percent of all grade crossing accidents are due

to the driver. Problems ranging from driver inattention or

distraction to unfamiliarity with the crossing can

contribute to a driver-caused crash.

"Our challenge going forward is compounded by the emerging

safety threats on the road today. Between phone calls, text

messages, GPS navigators that can give drivers a false sense

of security, and in-car satellite radio and entertainment

systems, there is more competition for the driver's

attention than ever before," remarked Chairman Hersman.

Chairman Hersman concluded her remarks by noting that both

the NTSB and OLI must continue to support efforts to reduce

distracted driving and improve driver education in order to

eliminate grade crossing accidents - and all vehicle

accidents - on U.S. roadways.

The entire text of Chairman Hersman's speech is available on

at http://www.ntsb.gov/speeches/hersman/daph100830.html.

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NTSB Media Contact: Bridget Serchak

202-314-6100

Bridget.serchak@xxxxxxxx

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