FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, September 29, 2020
CONTACT: Pete Daniels, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety / pdaniels@saferoads.org / 301-442-2249 (C)
Statement of Cathy Chase, President, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, on National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Final Report on October 6, 2018 Limousine Crash in Schoharie, New York
Today’s National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) meeting on the October 6, 2018 limousine crash in Schoharie, NY reveals failures on multiple levels that led to one of the deadliest transportation crashes our nation has ever experienced.
Bipartisan legislation by Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) as well as Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY), Antonio Delgado (D-NY) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY) which would address glaring safety gaps identified during the NTSB investigation should be advanced without delay. Requiring lap and shoulder belts for all passengers and ensuring that seating arrangements in limos meet minimum performance standards during a crash are commonsense steps that must be taken to prevent these types of tragedies. Also critical to limo safety are thorough oversight of companies’ safety performance and consumer information.
Limousine rides are commonly associated with some of the most wonderful events in one’s life. Sadly, due to unacceptably weak standards and oversight identified by the NTSB, a crash involving a limousine can turn someone’s happiest day into their worst nightmare.
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety is an alliance of consumer, medical, public health, law enforcement and safety groups and insurance companies and agents working together to make America’s roads safer. Advocates’ mission is the adoption of federal and state laws, policies and programs that prevent motor vehicle crashes, save lives, reduce injuries, and contain costs.
###