Transportation accidents - on land, in the air, or at sea - cause thousands of injuries and deaths each year. Because of this, federal regulators at agencies like the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are intent on raising awareness about preventable causes of transportation accidents and how individuals, lawmakers, and government authorities can help reduce incidents involving these types of incidents.

Earlier this month, the NTSB released its 2015 Most Wanted list, which details its top 10 transportation concerns, their causes, and suggestions for how to best address them. Here are some of the issues that made the NTSB Most Wanted list:

• Impaired Driving - Substance impairment is a leading cause of preventable auto accidents and is responsible for an alarming number of injuries and deaths. The NTSB views impaired driving as a serious safety issue, and recommends that states pass tougher laws and enforcement protocol, and expand the use of technology to help end substance impairment behind the wheel.
• Distracted Driving - With innovations in smartphone technology and other electronic devices, distracted driving has become a problem of epidemic proportions. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distraction plays a factor in thousands of accidents each year. The NTSB calls on all states to pass tough and comprehensive distracted driving laws, and for Americans to fully shift away from the common practice of using devices behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.
• Mass Transit - Mass transit systems transport millions of Americans each day. As we see from time to time, however, even small incidents involving mass transit can result in numerous injuries or deaths. To make mass transit safer, the NTSB suggests that regulators better ensure the safety of unique equipment, operating environments, and challenges.
• Commercial Trucking - Commercial trucks are essential to our economy, but their size makes them a danger to motorists and pedestrians on public roadways. In fact, crashes, injuries, and deaths involving commercial trucks have been on the rise in recent years. To address this problem, the NTSB wants federal regulators to improve oversight of trucking companies and their vehicles and drivers.

Other issues on the Most Wanted list included enhancing public helicopter safety, improving rail tank car safety, positive train control, improvements for general aviation, and requiring medical fitness of transportation operators. Although these issues are widespread and difficult to solve, raising awareness and working on ways to solve them can help reduce the number of preventable accidents we see among all types of transportation systems.

If you have questions about your rights after an auto accident, truck accident, or any other type of transportation accident, contact The Daspit Law Firm for a free case evaluation.