Top Reasons for Accident Causation

Mike Fox – Investigator, NTSB Office of Highway Safety - Washington, DC

Presentation Overview

• NTSB-who we are & what we do • Top reasons for crashes • Major highway launches 2015 • 2 crash cases • Safety Recommendations • Accident countermeasures

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National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

• Aviation • Marine • Rail • Pipeline • HazMat • Highway

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HQ - Washington, DC

~ 400 employees total ~ 30 employees in Highway

The Launch • High Casualty • School bus / motorcoach • HazMat / RR crossing • High media attention • Bridge collapse • Motorcycle • Autonomous vehicle

Osseo, WI 10/16/05

The Team

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Vehicle Factors

Highway Factors

Human Performance

Survival Factors

Motor Carrier Factors Event Data Recorders

Scene Mapping/Diagramming

Investigator-in-Charge (IIC)

The Final Product

• Board Meeting – 1 year goal • In Washington, DC • Final Report • Presentations • Recommendations

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Presidential Nomination Confirmed by the Senate

5-year term

• Bella Dinh-Zarr – Vice Chairman

Reasons for Crashes (LTCCS)

• Driver 85% • Non-performance (12%) • Recognition (28%) • Decision (38%) • Performance ( 9%)

• Vehicle 10% • Environment 3% 8

Fatal Crashes Year Large Truck Buses Large Truck &

Buses

2010 3,271 247 3,518

2011 3,365 243 3,608

2012 3,486 252 3,738

2013 3,541 280 3,821

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Source: www.fmcsa.gov 10.46 Per Day

2015 Major Highway Launches

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Chattanooga, TN

Valhalla, NY Oxnard, CA

Penwell, TX

Seattle, WA

Penwell, TX – Jan 14, 2015

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Valhalla, NY – Feb 3, 2015

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Oxnard, CA - Feb 24, 2015

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Chattanooga, TN – June 25, 2015

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Seattle, WA – Sept 24, 2015

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Source: abcnews.go.com

Completed Investigations: Cranbury, New Jersey June 7, 2014

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Cranbury, NJ Animation

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2011 Peterbilt Combo Vehicle

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Source: NJSP

2012 Mercedes Limobus

19 Source: NJSP

Travel time ~ 12 hours – 752 miles

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Safety Recommendations

Fatigue management programs Using critical event data Work zone safety Forward Collision Warning System Limo van construction - modifications

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Fatigue Management Program

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Critical Event Reports (CERs)

Hard Brake Stability Control

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Davis, Oklahoma

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September 26, 2014

Crash Overview

• 2013 Peterbilt truck-tractor combination unit • 53-year-old driver

• 2008 Champion medium-size bus • 48-year-old driver • 15 passengers

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Davis, OK Animation

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Vehicles at Final Rest

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2008 Champion Medium-Size Bus

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What caused this crash?

1. Carrier was compliant with the FMCSRs 2. Driver was not over his HOS 3. Vehicle “OK” – no OOS 4. Negative on post-crash drug tests

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Smoking Pipe

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Synthetic Cannabinoids • Hundreds of different names:

• Spice • K2 • Mellow Mood

31 Source: DEA

What are Synthetic Cannabinoids?

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Synthetic Cannabinoid Effects

• Symptoms vary widely: • Euphoria • Psychosis • Seizures, non-responsiveness • Death

• Does not show positive in DOT test

• Constantly being altered

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Safety Recommendations

Medium-size bus construction Determine the prevalence of synthetic drugs among CMV drivers Stakeholders for best practices Primary enforcement for seat belts

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San Jose, CA – Jan 19, 2016

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Accident Countermeasures

• Safety culture • Policies and procedures • Driver handbook • Training program

• Initial • Recurrent / remedial

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Additional Countermeasures

• Fatigue management program • Advanced drug testing – hair • Maximize Technology

• ELDs – collision avoidance • Driver facing cameras • Lane departure • Driver simulator

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Resources

• NTSB • FMCSA • NTSHA • CVSA • State Police • ATA

• DEA • North American

Fatigue Management Program

• TRB

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michael.fox@ntsb.gov 202-314-6250

Top Reasons for Accident CausationPresentation OverviewNational Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)The LaunchThe TeamThe Final ProductSlide Number 7Reasons for Crashes (LTCCS)Fatal Crashes 2015 Major Highway Launches Penwell, TX – Jan 14, 2015Valhalla, NY – Feb 3, 2015Oxnard, CA - Feb 24, 2015Chattanooga, TN – June 25, 2015Seattle, WA – Sept 24, 2015Completed Investigations: Cranbury, New Jersey �June 7, 2014Cranbury, NJ Animation2011 Peterbilt Combo Vehicle2012 Mercedes LimobusTravel time ~ 12 hours – 752 miles Safety RecommendationsFatigue Management Program Critical Event Reports (CERs)Davis, OklahomaCrash OverviewDavis, OK AnimationVehicles at Final Rest2008 Champion Medium-Size BusWhat caused this crash?Smoking PipeSynthetic Cannabinoids �What are Synthetic Cannabinoids?Synthetic Cannabinoid EffectsSafety RecommendationsSan Jose, CA – Jan 19, 2016 Accident Countermeasures Additional CountermeasuresResources Slide Number 39