NHTSA Report on Speeding

A new study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveals that although 91% of drivers agree that everyone should obey speed limits because it's the law, 30% of drivers speed regularly.

The National Survey of Speeding Attitudes and Behavior is the third in a series of NHTSA surveys to yield national estimates of driver behavior and attitudes toward speeding in the U.S. The newest release of information is based on 6,144 phone interviews conducted in 2011.

According to the survey, one in five drivers admitted to trying to get to their destination as fast as possible, and 27% of respondents stated that they enjoy the feeling of driving fast.

Other noteworthy findings of the study include:

• Overall, 30% of respondents were speeders, 40% sometimes speed and 30% never speed.
• Younger drivers reported speeding more than older drivers with 50% of drivers ages 16 to 20 being classified as speeders compared to 15% of drivers age 65 or older.
• Attitudes of predetermination contributed to speeding for a small number of drivers, with 17% agreeing with the statement "If it is your time to die, you'll die, so it doesn't matter whether you speed."
• Over-confident attitudes also contributed to speeding for 16%, who agreed with the statement "Driving over the speed limit is not dangerous for skilled drivers."
• While most respondents felt that obeying speed limits is important, 60% stated that they often get impatient with slower drivers.

Click here for more information and a link to the report.

Controlling Legionella Bacteria

The U.K.'s Health and Safety Executive has updated its information on managing and controlling legionella bacteria in water systems. The revised Legionnaire's Disease Approved Code of Practice
features changes that provide greater clarity on the difference between guidance and legal requirements.

Additionally, the Health and Safety Executive has separated the technical guidance into three PDFs published online that are available for download and include updates regarding technological advancements:

• Control of legionella bacteria in evaporative cooling systems;
• Control of legionella bacteria in hot and cold water systems (interim guidance);
• Control of legionella bacteria in other risk systems.

Other legionella resources can be found here. 

FRA Issues Industry-wide Safety Advisory to Ensure Compliance with Speed Restrictions

DOT’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued an industry-wide Safety Advisory in an effort to help ensure railroads adhere to federal regulations regarding maximum train speed limits. 

This advisory follows the Dec. 1 derailment in New York City of a Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company train that killed four passengers and injured more than 60 others. This incident serves as a reminder of how important it is for railroads to follow speed limits, says U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “This Safety Advisory, along with the other enforcement measures we’ve taken, will remind all employees of the need to follow speed limits and will help improve safety across all rail lines.”

The Safety Advisory provides five recommended to ensure the safety of the nations railroads, their employees and the general public. FRA recommends railroads:

• Review the details of the Dec. 1, 2013, Spuyten Duyvil derailment with their operating employees.
• Provide instruction to their employees during training classes and safety briefings on the importance of compliance with maximum authorized train speed limits and other speed restrictions.
• Remind employees that Federal railroad safety regulation prohibits the operation of a locomotive or train at a speed which exceeds the maximum authorized speed by at least 10 mph.
• Evaluate results of operational data regarding speed testing.
• Reinforce the importance of communication between train crew members located in the controlling locomotive, particularly during safety critical periods when multiple tasks are occurring and during extended periods of inactivity.

CPSC Reports Increase in Injuries During Holiday Season, Offers Safety Tips

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that there were about 15,000 injuries related to holiday decorating seen in emergency rooms across the nation during November and December in 2012. Most of the injuries involved falls, lacerations and back strains. CPSC also reports this is the fourth straight year these estimates have increased.

To help prevent injuries during this holiday season (and future ones), the agency lists safety tips to keep decorators safe. Some of the tips include:

• Heed warning labels on ladders (Read CPSC's "Ladder Safety 101" blog for safety tips).
• Use decorating lights that have been tested for safety.
• Do not burn wrapping paper in fireplaces.

Visit the CPSC website to read the complete list.

CSB Video on School Chemistry Lab Safety

CSB has released "After the Rainbow," a video telling the story of Calais Weber, who at age 15 was burned on over 40% of her body while viewing a chemistry demonstration performed by a teacher. The video discusses procedures that may have prevented the incident and what schools can do to keep students safe during chemistry experiments.

The video is a follow up to "Experimenting with Danger," which documents laboratory incidents in three major universities.