In response to a number of discount tour bus crashes, New York Senator Charles E. Schumer just announced that he and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand are co-sponsoring legislation aimed at improving bus safety and driver training.

In the past month alone, three crashes have consumed media headlines. Monday evening, a PRT Tour bus crashed in New Hampshire resulted in 17 injuries, five of which were categorized as serious. On March 12, a World Wide Tour bus crashed in the Bronx, killing 15, and on March 14, another tour bus crashed in New Jersey. The March 14 crash resulted in two fatalities, including the driver who was ejected.

The senator’s office noted that the Act will be sponsored by Senators Sherrod Brown and Kay Bailey Hutchinson and requires that, among other mandates, improved commercial driver training be required along with safety belts and stronger seating systems; anti-ejection glazing windows; improved fire protection and training; and strong, crush-resistant roofs that minimize passenger injury in the event of a rollover accident. The Act also calls for stronger motorcoach vehicle safety inspections, Electronic On-Board Recorders (EOBRs), and a National Commercial Motor Vehicle Medical Registry.

“Every year millions of adults and children ride on motorcoaches without the basic safety protections routinely available in other modes of transportation. And every week, on average, there is a motorcoach crash or fire that often results in deaths and injuries that could have been prevented,” said Jackie Gillan, Vice President of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, quoted Schumer’s office.

If you have been injured in a car or bus accident, complete the form to the left or call 212-566-1000 for a free consultation with an experienced New York car accident attorney.  Based in New York City, Sullivan & Brill, LLP represents individuals in Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island, as well as Nassau County, Suffolk County and the upstate counties.