Only one accident in which explosives detonated while in transit by motor vehicle came to our attention during the year. It occurred June 13, 1961, near Stockton, Calif., on U.S. Highway 99. A tractorsemitrailer transporting class B explosives consisting of military ammunition in intrastate commerce caught fire when an inside tire on the trailer became flat and overheated. Although the fire and explosion of ammunition continued for approximately 11⁄2 hours, no fatalities or injuries resulted. It was the first explosion to occur in the transportation of explosives by motor vehicle since the August 7, 1959, explosion of blasting materials on the truck of a private motor carrier in Roseburg, Oreg.

The U.S. Bureau of Mines reports that in 1960 1,169,792,941 pounds of industrial explosives were consumed in the United States. This figure includes ammonium nitrate blasting agents which are classified as oxidizing materials and not as explosives under our regulations. The Institute of Makers of Explosives estimates that 632 million - pounds of explosives (including ammonium nitrate) were moved from manufacturers' plants by motor vehicle, compared with an estimated 582 million pounds in 1959 and 586 million pounds in 1958. Information as to the volume of explosives transported locally from magazines to consumers is not available.

Some accidents occurred in the transportation by motor vehicle of other dangerous commodities. One semitrailer collapsed when transporting cylinders of hydrocyanic acid in Louisiana in April 1961, and another collapsed while transporting radioactive uranium bars in Southern Indiana on June 30, 1961. A number of accidents with major property damage resulted from the collision of railroad trains with motor vehicles transporting gasoline, other petroleum products, and compressed gases. In every instance, the motor vehicles were operating in intrastate service. On February 6, 1961, we instituted a general investigation in Docket No. 33440 to determine the causes and possible remedies for accidents at rail-highway grade crossings between trains and motor vehicles transporting dangerous commodities.

We also instituted a proceeding looking toward requiring private carriers of specified dangerous commodities to identify themselves to us and report annually the extent of their operations and whether accidents had occurred.

With the advent of tank trucks for cryogenic materials, requests were received for authority to transport certain chemicals and gases at subzero temperatures in order to reduce their vapor pressure. Lighter tanks thus can be used, with a resulting increase in payload. Transportation of two flammable gases under these conditions was authorized in experimental and controlled service.

FEDERAL ROLE IN TRAFFIC SAFETY

(Pursuant to S. Res. 56, 89th Cong.)

FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 1965

U.S. SENATE,

SUBCOMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE REORGANIZATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, Washington, D.C. The subcommittee met, pursuant to recess, at 10 a.m., in room 3302, New Senate Office Building, Senator Abraham Ribicoff (chairman) presiding.

Present: Senators Ribicoff and Simpson.

Also present: Jerome Sonosky, staff director, and Constance Greess, chief clerk.

Senator RIBICOFF. The meeting will come to order.

We are privileged to have before this committee for the first time John T. Connor, Secretary of Commerce and Chairman of the Interdepartmental Highway Safety Board.

We do appreciate your taking time from your busy day to come here.

Will you proceed, Mr. Secretary?

STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN T. CONNOR, SECRETARY OF COMMERCE AND CHAIRMAN, INTERDEPARTMENTAL HIGHWAY SAFETY BOARD

Secretary CONNOR. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee.

We are pleased that this subcommittee is focusing on one of the most critical problems facing the Nation: the mounting toll of deaths, injuries, and property damage on the Nation's streets and highways. I wish to assure you of the full cooperation, not only of the Department of Commerce, but also of the Interdepartmental Highway Safety Board, of which I am Chairman, in this important undertaking.

407

EXHIBIT 30

(।૧૯૩)

THE FEDERAL PROGRAM IN HIGHWAY SAFETY (963)

INTRODUCTION

Social and economic losses exceeding those of all past wars have

been sustained by the Nation as a consequence of motor vehicle traffic accidents. This is a sobering challenge to all those having official responsibilities for highway safety. Local and State governments carry the principal official burden for performance of traffic accident prevention functions, but the Federal establishment cannot avoid its essential role on a problem of such proportions. The Interdepart

mental Highway Safety Board was formed as a means for better performance of that role.

THE INTERDEPARTMENTAL HIGHWAY SAFETY BOARD

Established by Executive Order 10898, issued December 2, 1960,

and amended January 12, 1962, the Interdepartmental Highway Safety Board is directed to provide Federal leadership and guidance of existing and future official activities that affect the safety of travel on public streets and highways and to establish a coordinated traffic safety program for Federal agencies.

Membership of the Board, as specified in the amended Order, is

6.

The Chairman of the Interstate Commerce Commission

7.

The Administrator of General Services

An organization meeting of the Board was called by Secretary Hodges on June 28, 1962, and all member Departments and agencies were represented by top policy officials. Chairman Hodges invited each Board member or alternate to report briefly on major items of official activity in highway safety in his Department. In the discussion of these reports, much enthusiasm was shown for the primary task of giving additional Federal emphasis to highway traffic safety programs. precise definition of Federal resources and improved collaboration in objectives and programs were identified as principal needs.

More

At the June 28 meeting, the Board accepted the suggestion of Secretary Hodges and authorized the establishment of a Working Committee of selected staff from the seven Board agencies. As a first assignment, the Board directed this Committee to evaluate the various agency resources fully with the view of preparing a report on the status of Federal programs in highway safety, together with recommendations for legislative or administrative action, where appropriate. Progress made at the initial organization meeting of the Board

was reported by Secretary Hodges in his letter of July 16, 1962 to the President. The Working Committee was organized promptly under the direction of the Executive Officer (Deputy Director, Office of Highway Safety, Bureau of Public Roads, Department of Commerce), and had full