Here's some background on the issue thus far -
On September 11, 2007 (sick aren't they?) there was a NTSB (National Traffic Safety Board) board meeting held to cover their "new found" statistics and their plan of action. They did accept questions from the audience but did not take anything into consideration. The statistics they are using have been "cherry picked" from the FARS (Fatal Analysis Reporting System) report. They chose to begin their stats with the year 1997, the lowest year on record. They strongly point out that motorcycle fatalities increased 87% since 1997. This is a true but misleading statement. The stats have information back to 1975 and when the full stats are considered the fatality rate actually dropped 22%.
It is now illegal for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to lobby our government using taxpayer dollars. NHTSA gathers and compiles the FARS report. Publicly there are no ties between the NTSB and NHTSA. The NTSB is directly government funded. IF these two agencies are independent of each other, why do they have parallel goals?
The NTSB has only investigated 6 motorcycle crashes in the last 40 years.
Senator Grassley is the Ranking member of the Finance Committee and also sits on the Budget committee.
So ............. Here's what we'd like you all to do.
Make contact with Senator Grassley's Washington office via any or all of the means listed below. In your own words, ensure you request action on the following points (be polite!):
The NTSB is not telling the whole truth by using cherry picked statistics to further their goals.
The NTSB and the NHTSA are obviously working together since the NHTSA can not legally lobby.
Both of these government agencies are taxpayer funded and are wasting time and money on an issue that is a small percentage of the total traffic fatality problem.
Begin proceedings to reduce, or eliminate, their budgets and financial support since they have demonstrated they can not accept the responsibility of the intent of said agencies.
Sign, date, and send to at least one of the following:
Senator Grassley contact info:
135 Hart Senate Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510-1501
DC phone: 202-224-3744
Fax: 202/228-2131
email: chuck_grassley@grassley.senate.gov

It is time for this underhanded push to be stopped!
(There may be more to follow.)
Thank you.
Steve Eggleston
ABATE of Iowa, Inc.
State Legisltative Officer
Approved by Steve Rector, State Coordinator