We have come to the conclusion of the hearing but we will not be closing the docket. That means that the witnesses are encouraged to submit any additional information they consider appropriate. Submissions should be transmitted to the Director, Office of Highway Safety, National Transportation Safety Board, Washington, D. C. 20594, within 30 days after the close of the hearing. The Board will consider any pertinent information gathered during the hearing. This hearing is the first of three hearings the Safety Board will be conducting in 1999 as part of the Safety Board's initiative on truck and bus safety. The second hearing, on advanced technology, is scheduled for July, and the third hearing, on NAFTA, is scheduled for the fall. The factual record from these public hearings will assist the Safety Board in making recommendations to improve truck and bus safety.

On behalf of the National Transportation Safety Board, I would like to thank all of the panelists who have participated in such a cooperative manner during these proceedings. The sharing of your knowledge and thoughts on these important issues will aid greatly in our deliberations on these safety issues. The American public should know a lot more about truck and bus safety as a result of this public hearing.

This public hearing is now in recess.