Mitigating Speeding: NTSB Response to Fatal Accident
In the wake of a catastrophic multi-vehicle collision in Las Vegas last year that ended nine lives, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has appealed to carmakers to introduce anti-overspeed expertise into all fresh autos and pickups. The freely operating federal entity identified numerous contributory reasons for this daunting occurrence – predominantly excessive velocity which the agency aspires to abort.
On the twenty-ninth of January, 2022, a heartbreaking accident occured when a 2018 Dodge Challenger travelling at an incredible speed of 103 mph went through a red stop light and collided with five other vehicles, including a Toyota Sienna. Tragically, all nine people inside the two cars – seven in the minivan and two in the sports car – perished.
The findings of the NTSB survey exposed that the Dodge chauffeur’s impaired judgement, due to cocaine and phencyclidine (PCP) utilization, also as their past of speeding infractions, were essential elements in the camp. Moreover, they attested that in 2021, roughly one-third of all traffic fatalities across the US originated from accidents involving over-speeding.
“This crash is the latest in a long line of tragedies we’ve investigated where speeding and impairment led to catastrophe, but it doesn’t have to be this way,” stated NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy. “We understand that redundancy is the key to preventing further loss of life, as it can help protect us from human error on our roads. What we need is the determination to put NTSB safety recommendations into action.”
In light of the findings, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) urged 17 primary auto producers to install Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) in all freshly manufactured cars, with a view to providing at least an admonishment to speeders.
The ISA technology utilizes a car’s Global Positioning System, a databank of speed limits, and built-in cameras to certify that laws concerning speed are observed. Technologies vary from passive ones which are limited to stimulating drivers through tactile, visible, and audible notifications to reactive models which totally stop them from going too quickly.
The obligatory utilization of ISA systems in autos is being thought about in the European Union, a proposition that goes back to 2019.
The NTSB has suggested that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) ought to make use of measures which would limit speed in recently manufactured vehicles, and also create instruction for the public concernings its advantages. The NHTSA must promote the incorporation of Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) technology via the New Car Assessment program, as well as recognize repeat speeding violators and devise a solution to prevent such behavior.
In the meantime, the NTSB has summoned all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia to recognize approaches for recognizing recurrent haste culprits. Previously this year, New York declared a related step.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) requested the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to join forces in this endeavor, especially with regards to advertising that centers around swift travel. Previously, they had dedicatedly articulated their eagerness to reduce limits on the speed because of an incline in car sizes, notably governing essentials related to electrification.