Senator Hutchison Wins Passage of Landmark Bus Safety Bill

Statement

Today, U. S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, hailed the passage of her bipartisan bill, the Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2012. The landmark legislation, introduced by Sens. Hutchison and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and passed as part of a comprehensive long-term surface transportation bill, will dramatically improve bus and motorcoach safety standards. The legislation is now on its way to President Obama for his signature.

"Too many lives have been wasted in tragedies that are entirely preventable because of poor bus safety standards. Significant updates to current law such as requiring seat belts and strengthening safety inspections will go a long way in making our roads safer for everyone - not just bus occupants," Senator Hutchison said. "We have waited too long to make basic changes to federal law that will save lives. I'm pleased that my colleagues and I worked together to pass a solution to a major problem affecting our roads."

The Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2012 would require DOT to make much-needed upgrades to federal safety standards for motorcoaches, increase driver operating standards and training requirements, and implement important safety-enhancing technologies.

Specifically, this bipartisan bill would require action by the DOT on:

* Safety belts and compartmentalized seating systems to ensure occupants stay in their seats in a crash.
* Strong, crush-resistant roofs that can withstand rollovers, and tire pressure monitoring systems that will help prevent accidents in the first place.

* Anti-ejection window glazing to prevent passengers from being ejected from the motorcoach in a crash.

* Electronic stability control systems that will help prevent rollover accidents, similar to the technology that is now standard on almost all new cars.

* Authority for DOT to issue new standards for fire prevention and mitigation, including for smoke and fire suppression.

* Tough new rules to catch reincarnated carriers-- bus companies that are shut down and quickly begin operating under a new name.

* Strengthened motorcoach vehicle safety inspections including new operator safety audits, and new disclosure requirements for motorcoach safety ratings for the travelling public.

Source