NTSB Asks Americans to "Put Safety First"

Sandy Grinnell

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As the long Memorial Day week-end approaches and summer vacations follow right behind, the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Mark V. Rosenker, wants all of us to be more responsible for our own personal safety.

For drivers taking a trip this week-end or a driving summer vacation, he reminds us of three easy steps to take to insure you and your family arrive at your destination safely:  don't drink and drive; buckle up (that means everyone in the vehicle); and don't drive when you tired. 

The Chairman would also like to see everyone on a motorcycle wearing a helmet.  According to him, "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."

While the number of auto accidents tends to rise during a long, three-day week-end, boating accidents happen all summer long.  Last year there were over 7,000 boating-related deaths and the NTSB wants everyone who owns a boat to check out their personal floatation devices (PFD's) before they put their boat in the water this summer.  PFD's are the single most important safety feature in helping to reduce the number of deaths due to boating accidents.