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NCUTLO News, June, 1997
NCUTLO DRAFTS CHILD
RESTRAINT SUMMIT PLAN
NCUTLO's Task Force on Standard Safety Belt Model Laws very quickly turned
into a dual purpose Task Force - drafting two model laws instead of the one originally
anticipated when the Task Force was impaneled. It also uncovered a much more significant
issue - and has taken the lead to see if the traffic safety community can put an end to
one of the most confusing areas of child restraint - what are the best restraint measures
for older children?
NCUTLO's Task Force members found themselves over and over again debating the
issue of the best, most scientifically supported recommendations concerning the issue of
children from four to sixteen - and how best to reflect that in the model legislation
being drafted. It became obvious after numerous hours of debate that there was no standard
or overwhelming consensus - indeed, there was little, of any consensus and much confusion
concerning older child restraint. Lively debate spurred an exchange between the NTSB and
the NCUTLO, and the NCUTLO responded with a plan to develop precise
guidelines from a consortium of agencies specifying the age of children to be restrained
and the proper devices to use in that restraint.
"Seating placement
is increasingly a critical issue: NCUTLO'S position is that a well-discussed,
research-supported statement should help establish consensus...and would truly be a public
service."
John W. Archer,
Chairman, NCUTLO
FINAL MEETING COMPLETES
STANDARD SAFETY BELT, CHILD RESTRAINT MODELS
The Task Force on Standard Safety Belt/Child Restraint Model Laws has completed its
work with the recent revision and completion of the Standard Safety Belt Model Law and the
Child Restraint Use Model Law. Both of these revised models appear in this issue of NCUTLO
NEWS' fax back service, and are on the web site under Model Laws.
According to the recently passed Procedure to Adopt Model Laws, (see April 97 NCUTLO
NEWS) these models will now be sent to the NCUTLO Board of Directors to be voted
on as official NCUTLO documents. They may also be considered to become a part of
the Uniform Vehicle Code; that would take place during the Annual Meeting of the
NCUTLO full membership, scheduled this year for October 24, in Ballston, Virginia.
All comments received on these two models were discussed and reviewed during the final
meeting. Many suggestions were incorporated into the final draft; others were purposely
left out of the final product. For a comprehensive summary of these comments and the
committee's discussion and determination, click on "Standard Safety Belt Model"
on the web page, then on "Comments and Discussion - 06/18/97."
NCUTLO offers its formal thanks to the members of the Safety Belt Task Force
who invested countless hours and their significant talents to complete these models and
get them to you, our NCUTLO constituents, in as timely a fashion as possible.
Special recognition goes to Barbara Harsha, who very ably
chaired the Task Force, and to John Archer and Michele Fields, who provided invaluable legal support and drafting. For a
copy of the Child Restraint Summit Proposal, see this month's Fax back documents or
download from the Model Law section of the web page.
NCUTLO, FHWA TO PARTNER
LIGHT RAIL MODEL LAW
A tragic crash leads to model law recommendation, partnership for NCUTLO.
Recommendations arising from a Task Force convened by former Secretary of Transportation
Federico Pena include the enacting of model legislation, a product to be developed
in concert with the National Council of State Legislators, the National Governors'
Association, NCUTLO and states with light rail systems. A recent letter from
Mike Trentacoste, Director of the Office of Highway Safety, FHWA, requests that the
NCUTLO become involved in the drafting of such a law, to include development of draft
legislation and review of current legislation. The recommendation states, in part, "
states with light rail systems should enact model legislation for penalties associated
with light-rail crossing violations based upon existing laws in Texas, California,
Virginia and other states"
NCUTLO is pleased to be invited to assist with this critical safety problem;
the extensive background of the NCUTLO EVP, Leila Osina, in
highway-rail crossing issues is felt to be a valuable asset in providing practical and
useful advice and suggestions to the drafting process. Any NCUTLO members
interested in becoming involved with a Task Force on Light Rail Legislation should contact
Leila Osina at 800/807-5290 or send an e-mail message to her at
ncutloceo2@msn.com.
WEB PAGE REDESIGN TO
FEATURE NEW URL
A new web page redesign will feature the registration of www.ncutlo.org as the NCUTLO's
new and simplified web page Uniform Resource Locator, or URL. The URL is used to identify
and navigate to the organization site, and the use of the standard format for nonprofit
organizations, .org extension, should simplify the access to the web page. Along with the
url change, the entire Home Page will undergo transformation into a slicker and more
graphically pleasing home site, while still retaining its ability to load quickly.
Among the new features planned will be themed and color-coded discussion groups, so
members will be able to easily track all discussions and issues on a single subject by
following the color-coded comments list.
The planned new Home Page for the NCUTLO ClearingHouse site on the World Wide Web.
Briefly Noted.....
NCUTLO attends
1997 International Highway Transportation Safety Week Kickoff.... NCUTLO was present at the recent press conference
announcing the kickoff of the 1997 International Highway Transportation Safety Week.
Highlights included messages from our neighbors in Canada and Mexico, and the unveiling of
the truck caravan which will tour the United States with interactive safety demonstrations
on safe driving with trucks and buses.
NCUTLO presents
Model Laws at Lifesavers 15... NCUTLO
was front and center at this year's Lifesavers Conference, held June 8 - 11 in Orlando,
Florida. The NCUTLO ClearingHouse and web page were demonstrated for the
attendees, and numerous copies of the three model laws created by the National Committee
this year were given out to the interested visitors. Sessions on Graduated Licensing were
given copies of the National Committee's Gradlaw for their distribution.
NTSB publishes
Air Bag Recommendations ... The National
Transportation Safety Board has issued recommendations on Air Bags and Automobile Occupant
Restraint Use. These recommendations stem from a public forum convened in March, 1997 with
the participation of NHTSA, the auto industry, the air bag industry, insurance safety and
consumer groups. See Fax back documents for complete details.
Fewer Traffic
Deaths reported in March. 1997... Compared
to the same month in 1996, fewer traffic deaths occurred in March, 1997, according to the
Highway & Vehicle Safety Report, June issue. March of 1996 reported a total of 3,260
deaths nationwide, as compared to 3,146 reported for March 1997, a 3.5% decline. the
twelve month totals for April 1996 to March 1997 continued to show a small decline, with a
.9% decrease over last year.
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