And in the last three years, DOT has had accepted 89 percent of your recommendations. We may be independent organizations, but on my watch, we will depend on each other every day in every way to prevent accidents. Thirty years ago, when President Johnson created the Department, he said no responsibility of the Secretary will be more important than safety. In 30 years, that has not changed. When I took the oath of office, I told the American people I had three goals.
Safety has to be our North Star.
Because in spite of the good we've done in 30 years, in spite of the 600 million Americans who now fly a year, in spite of the great Interstate system we built, in spite of the 4 million of our citizens employed in high-paying jobs moving goods and people, in spite of the convenience and the mobility, and in spite of the good life transportation has brought to the American people, nothing, my friends, has brought more tragedy. Not even war. In the last 30 years, we have lost more Americans in transportation accidents than died in all our wars ever fought in American history. We have to do better. Most of all, I say to you, government cannot do this alone.