New Rule Issued to Require Seat Belts on Large Buses

Friday, November 22, 2013

New Rule Issued to Require Seat Belts on Large Buses

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

“On average, 21 motorcoach and large bus occupants are killed and 7,934 are injured annually in motor vehicle crashes. Requiring seat belts could reduce fatalities by up to 44 percent and reduce the number of moderate to severe injuries by up to 45 percent,” according to data from the NHTSA. On Wednesday, November 20^th, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a final rule requiring lap and shoulder seat belts for each passenger and driver seat on new motorcoaches and large buses.

This rule is supposed to be the most effective step to prevent the vast amount of injuries and deaths caused by large bus accidents. According to a release (NHTSA Announces Final Rule Requiring Seat Belts on Motorcoaches) issued by the NHTSA, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Anne S. Ferro said, “Requiring seat belts in new models is another strong step we are taking to reach an even higher level of safety for bus passengers.”

Beginning in November 2016, newly manufactured buses weighing greater than 11,793 kilograms (26,000 pounds), except transit and school buses, will be required to be equipped with lap and shoulder belts for each driver and passenger seat. There have already been companies who have voluntarily purchased seat belt equipped large busses.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a bus accident, call The Malman Law today to learn about your legal rights. Malman Law and its team of attorneys have over 20 years of experience of representing victims of personal injury.