National Transportation Safety Board 2017 Most Wanted List

Every two years, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) creates a list that represents its top ten priorities for the next two years. Designed to draw awareness and create support for the board's most-needed changes to transportation safety, the Most Wanted List is a great starting point for understanding improvements that may be implemented in the future. All priorities require additional research, collaboration and a major effort from all involved parties to encourage implementation. Watch this year's press conference for an in-depth review and discussion of the list.  

What happens next?

After the NTSB releases its list, the board enlists the forces of government, industry and the public to achieve its goals. The board's stated priorities are not required to be implemented. In addition, research must be completed to determine the best ways to potentially implement each recommendation. The impact of these items is most significant on U.S. highways, but most apply to various modes of transportation. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), highway fatalities increased by 7.2% from 2014-2015. Additionally, in the first half of 2016, the organization found a 10.4% increase vs. the first half of 2015 in motor vehicle deaths. As truck drivers understand all too well, safety on the road is of utmost importance. As NTSB Chairman Christopher Hart stated:

"...safety is not a destination, but a continuing journey, and our continuing efforts to improve safety must never stop. It takes a concerted and continuing effort by industry, government and private citizens to save lives."

For more information on safety and regulations, check out our blog articles tagged as a safety topic.