“I
look back at the hundreds of investigations and
recommendations that have been issued during my tenure
at the NTSB, and I have seen the landscape of
transportation safety improve before my eyes. Today
training standards for transportation professionals are
more rigorous, federal safety oversight exists for the
rail transit industry, work schedules for pilots,
locomotive engineers and truck drivers allow for more
rest opportunities, the majority of states ban texting
behind the wheel, and all but two states have passed
booster seat laws for young children.
“These changes and so many other safety improvements are
the result of industry, labor, advocates, regulators and
legislators all working in their particular spheres of
influence to make travel safer for people that don’t
always appreciate the risks they face.
The NTSB and often, the families of victims, have
served as critical catalysts for bringing about change
after a terrible accident.
It has been an honor to be associated with a
noble mission that has at times inspired and evoked
passion and at other times, been in the crosshairs of
controversy, as real change doesn’t come without a cost.
I want to thank President Obama for entrusting me
with this tremendous responsibility.
“If you are lucky in life, you get a chance to have
a dream job. If you are really lucky, you get to
have more than one dream job.
I look forward to continuing to improve the
safety landscape with the Board of Directors and
employees of the National Safety Council, another
organization dedicated to saving lives and
preventing injuries.
And yes, I know how lucky I am.”
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