Lawmakers Pushing for Safer Buses

Jan. 11, 2013

Bus travel is listed as one of the safest means of travel, but auto accidents involving buses are still responsible for 17 people being killed annually. Despite the relatively low number of fatalities, bus accidents gain heavy media attention due to the sheer number of people who are often injured.

According to an article from The Statesman Journal, the safety concerns these accidents raise has prompted government lawmakers and officials to look at different ways they could reduce the risk of injury in the event of a crash. For instance, the US Department of Transportation Secretary is said to be planning an initiative that will push for the mandatory installation of seat belts in all new motor coaches being manufactured. The secretary’s plan was set into motion by a study showing the use of lap-shoulder belts could potentially reduce the risk of death in the event of an accident by as much as 77 percent.

The president has a plan of his own as well. He signed the Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2011 which goes into effect in July. The law builds on requiring seat belts in all motorcoaches by also requiring new buses to be outfitted with anti-ejection windows and non-collapsible roofs.

The Buffalo Car Accident Lawyers with William Mattar Law Offices are hopeful the new measures will find success in better protecting those who choose to travel by bus from the dangers of a Buffalo Car Accident.