UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION RELEASED ACTION PLAN TO IMPROVE MOTORCOACH SAFETY
The U.S. Department of Transportation has released its Motorcoach Safety Action Plan. The plan addresses major safety issues such as driver fatigue and inattention, oversight of unsafe carriers, rollovers and occupant ejections.
750 million passengers annually travel by motorcoach. There is an average of 19 motorcoach occupants killed in crashes each year. Pedestrians and occupants of other vehicles involved in these crashes are not included in these statistics.
The plan proposes enhanced regulatory oversight and the use of new technologies, such as electronic on-board monitoring. The plan also proposes rulemaking to prohibit texting and limit the use of cellular telephones and other devices by motorcoach drivers to reduce distracted driving. Requiring seat belts is also advised in the plan to better protect motorcoach passengers.
