Contact: Shane Austin
saustin@saferoads.org
202.425.2776
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement by Cathy Chase, President, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, on Final Rule to Improve Passenger Safety in Motorcoaches Issued Today
(Washington, D.C.-October 30, 2024) Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety lauds the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for issuing a long overdue rule that will improve the safety of passengers traveling in motorcoaches. The new standard will require these vehicles to be equipped with advanced window glazing that will help to reduce passenger and driver ejection in a crash. It also will result in up to $18 million in economic benefits annually.
According to NHTSA, 20 motorcoach occupant fatalities occur each year, and ejected occupants are seven times more likely to sustain fatal injuries than non-ejected occupants.
This action was required by Congress in the Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2012 which was included in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act (Pub. L. 112-141). The legislation was sponsored by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Representatives Ted Poe (R-TX) and the late John Lewis (D-GA). We commend them for their leadership and fortitude to make buses safer. This milestone also would not have been achieved without the tireless advocacy and determination of the families and victims of motorcoach crashes. The passengers who take nearly 600 million trips annually on buses will be safer because of their efforts and this new rule.
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About Advocates
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety is an alliance of consumer, medical, public health, law enforcement and safety groups and insurance companies and agents working together to make America’s roads safer. Advocates’ mission is the adoption of federal and state laws, policies and programs that prevent motor vehicle crashes, save lives, reduce injuries, and contain costs.