A proposal to require seat belts on all new motorcoaches could reduce the risk of serious and fatal New York bus accidents.
The new rules are aimed at preventing the serious multiple-victim accidents like the one that injured 24 New York City passengers traveling to Atlantic City earlier this summer. Our New York Injury Lawyer Blog reported that 23 people were transported to the hospital and the bus driver was ejected through the front window of the bus and run over.
“We’re committed to making sure that motorcoach travelers reach their destinations safely,” said U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Seat belts save lives, and putting them in motorcoaches just makes sense.”
However, many safety advocates contend that the laws do not go far enough: They do not apply to buses already on the road and will not apply to new school buses.
Motorcoaches and tour buses are a tremendously popular mode of travel in the United States — carrying more passengers each year than the airline industry. Each year, about 750 million passengers travel by bus. The federal government estimates that seat belts will reduce the risk of passengers being killed in a rollover accident by 77 percent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“We want motorcoaches to be as safe as possible and are working towards that goal,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. “In coordination with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, we will continue moving forward in our mission to save lives and reduce injuries.”
The government will take comment on the proposal during the next 90 days. Once passed, new buses will be required to be manufactured with lap and shoulder belts within three years.
If you have been injured in a bus accident in the New York City or Long Island areas, contact the Law Offices of Nicholas Rose to discuss your rights. Call 718.261.0549. Representing accident victims in New York, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan and Long Island.
