NHTSA working to improve motorcoach safety with lap-shoulder belt requirement

Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a proposal to require lap-shoulder safety belts in all new motorcoaches.

You may be surprised to learn that motorcoaches in America carry more than 750 million passengers every year. And even though riding in a motorcoach is a very safe way of traveling US roadways, DOT is committed to making that travel even safer.

As NHTSA Administrator David Strickland said, "We want motorcoaches to be as safe as possible, and we are working toward that goal."

Enjoying the security of passenger safety restraints

And he isn't kidding. Today's announcement is only our latest initiative to improve motorcoach safety. Earlier this year, we released a Motorcoach Safety Action Plan offering concrete steps to address driver fatigue and inattention, and to improve operator maintenance. Research to improve structure, fire safety protection and emergency exits is also under way.

Motorcoach crash-test dummies demonstrate need for lap-shoulder belts in NHTSA testing

Look--we know that seat belts save lives. They help prevent driver and passenger ejections during a crash, and reduce the risk of passengers being killed in a rollover by an astounding 77%.

Putting them in motorcoaches just makes sense.

The proposed rule is open for public comment until October 18, 2010 on www.regulations.gov. This is your opportunity to weigh in, so--please--let us hear from you!

Comments

[Erik Sandblom]

I'm told it's ten times safer to ride in a bus then to drive in a car. In that case, shouldn't bus riders be informed of the huge contribution to safety they're making? Maybe a text on the back of the bus ticket. Kind of like an inverted "smoking kills" message.

[Ben]

Erik: nice. Check out http://www.yehudamoon.com/index.php?date=2010-08-11

My understanding was that there's not much a motorcoach can crash into that will cause it to decelerate rapidly enough to eject passengers. How many people/year are killed or seriously injured in this way?

"Look--we know that seat belts save lives. They help prevent driver and passenger ejections during a crash, and reduce the risk of passengers being killed in a rollover by an astounding 77%." Even if "We all know that" were a legitimate means of establishing a fact, those "facts" are quite irrelevant for buses. What are the relevant numbers?

I speculate that you could save many more lives by pointing out "Look--buses are so safe that you don't need a seatbelt!" What's the probability that you've just saved a life every time someone takes the bus rather than driving? It adds up fast.

[pacotes turisticos]

Very important this modification because many people rely on buses and the more security and more lives are being protected from accidents.

[Sunset Classics]

It is really surprising that buses have not been required to have seat belts. What has been preventing it from happening? Is it just a cost issue?

[Dave Morse]

Excellent idea, Erik.

Furthermore, there could be warning messages on the steering wheels of passenger cars: "WARNING: your amateur driving is dangerous to yourself and others. You'd be 10x safer if you were taking the bus instead".

[Ed Lowrey]

You know, this sounds kind of stupid. Your ideas are really nice, but make no sense when every state budget is in the toilet. I don't mind that new motorcoaches have them, but forcing a retrofit? Ain't going to happen. Where is, umm, say California going the money to do the retrofit? Beg for millions again from all the tax payers?

"As NHTSA Administrator David Strickland said, "We want motorcoaches to be as safe as possible, and we are working toward that goal."" Yeah, sure you are. Want them safe? Force them to be made of steel. No? Oh you only want to half-### the goal of motorcoach safety. Want safety? Why not five point seat belts? Can't cost more then a couple of hundred dollars per retrofit. And how many thousands of motorcoaches on the road? What is the estimated total cost of this great idea?

[David Sanborn]

I do hope this measure will include school buses of every type, and rules that give the bus drivers authority to enforce usage of the seat belts. I cannot fathom that we do not have seat belts as required safety gear in school buses, already.

[Matt]

I looked for this on regulations.gov and didn't locate it - can we get the document name or a direct link?

[George Moore]

Enforcement, who's responsibility? The Operator, Customer or Driver?

[Siena Jonnes]

I completely agree and that makes sense for sure. I remember wondering for years why there were no seatbelts in school buses. I have not been on a school bus in ages but sure hope that they have them now.

[DR]

There is no doubt in my mind that requiring seat belts on buses will increase safety. And with a child in school, that is very important. But, I assume that this requirement will increase the purchase and maintenance cost of buses. Will this push some schools to seek cheaper alternatives that may not be as safe? I'm not sure.

[HP Bryce]

Ok, so let me get this right. Motorcoaches need seat belts but school buses do not? Has someone lost their mind? They both need them. It is time to stop making decisions with peoples lives because you are afraid of the cost to retrofit school buses. Or you could even require NEW school buses to have them and exempt those made before a agreed date.

[Michael E. Bailey]

In the UK touring coaches have been equipped with seat belts for a number of years now and they are saving lives. It is a great idea to have touring buses and all buses equipped with seat belts. The bus is a nice and safe way to travel, but a few times a year or so we still hear about buses--usually tour buses--that have accidents and a number of persons are seriously injured and some killed. Seat belts will further reduce injuries and deaths. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[Bus Accidents]

Coaches in the UK have been equipped with safety belts for several years and are saving lives. It's a great idea for tour buses and all buses fitted with seatbelts. The bus is an enjoyable and safe for travel, but a couple of times a year or what you still hear about buses - usually tour buses - that have accidents and a number of people are seriously injured and some killed .