With the recent fatal bus crashes in New York, New Jersey and Virginia, bus safety is getting a lot of attention from lawmakers, federal authorities and the public. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Congress have recently focused on improving bus safety for travelers across the United States through new safety standards.
The DOT announced that they will introduce new measures to tighten up on bus safety and will be teaming with state law enforcement agencies to conduct surprise inspections of commercial buses at travel destinations around the country. The DOT has also proposed more rigorous standards for obtaining a commercial driver's license and new rules to encourage driver compliance with federal regulations and empower consumers to look into bus safety records before booking travel with any bus line.
"The public deserves to know that when they board any type of bus or commercial vehicle, they will be delivered to their destination safely," commented U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
Steps By Congress to Improve Bus Safety
Congress is currently considering two bills addressing improvements in bus safety. These bills are primarily aimed at preventing or minimizing the consequences of a bus accident. The Bus Uniform Standards and Enhanced Safety Act (BUSES) would task the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with creating safety standards to improve bus crash-worthiness based on research and testing. BUSES also calls for the installation of seat belts, stronger roofs and windows and improved exits for passengers in case of emergency.
In other legislation, the Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act would require seat belts in new buses and the retrofitting of older buses to include seat belts. Seat belts were first recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board in 1968. NHTSA research has found that installing seat belts in buses would reduce the risk of fatal injuries in case of a rollover crash by 77 percent.
Nevertheless, industry leaders have opposed the idea of seat belts in buses, claiming it would be too expensive to retrofit older buses and smaller companies would be forced out of business.
The bill also calls for better training for commercial bus drivers, tougher vehicle inspections and the installation of tracking technology in buses.
Joan Claybrook, former NHTSA administrator, has estimated that the total cost of installing seat belts, electronic stability devices and other safety equipment would amount to less than $20,000 per bus. Claybrook commented that this cost could be covered by a 10% increase to passenger fares, a small price to pay for safety.
Although progress is being made toward a safer bus system for all passengers, accidents are still happening. If you have been injured in a bus accident, an experienced personal injury attorney can work with you to obtain the benefits you are entitled to as a result of a crash.
