WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Tuesday, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) urged state governments to enact and enforce laws that would improve highway and waterway traveler safety.

During the meeting, the board updated its list of Most Wanted Safety Improvements. The recommendations on this list asked for nearly 400 safety improvements in states and territories throughout the country, one of which would increase school bus safety in relation to grade crossings.

According to the NTSB, passive grade crossings pose a particularly high danger to school bus drivers because the crossings are not equipped with warning lights or an audible warning system to indicate that a train is approaching.

The NTSB asked state governments, as part of Safety Recommendation H-01-38, to install stop signs at crossings, require the installation of noise-reducing switches on newly purchased school buses (to mute the radio, heater and air conditioner) and enhance driver training.

Thirty-three states have enhanced driver training, while 16 states now require the noise-reducing switches on new school buses. More generally, 21 states have taken actions that satisfy the board's recommendation.

Upon reviewing the states' actions, the board removed this issue from its Most Wanted list and said it would continue to work with the remaining states to implement its recommendation.