Davis Law Group, P.S.

Motor Coach Safety Changes Based on Scientific Research Answers

A highly controversial safety issue, is whether or not buses should have seat belts or not. What most people do not know, is that this decision is based on scientific research to mak the decision.

While passenger security in accidents is still the top priority, the industry will continue to stress the importance of crash avoidance technology, which may stop crashes from ever happening in the first place. The possible safety advantage of adding seat belts to motor coaches remains largely unidentified, because the scientific research on this question has yet to be completed. The motor coach industry staunchly supports comprehensive study on safety belts, roof strength, and window glazing, so engineers can make a decision based on scientific conclusions. Sound science must guide policy, meaning government-driven rigorous research with adequate funding. Until the government has sufficient information, it won’t have the scientific foundation upon which sound public policy is based. The motor coach industry stands ready to work beneficially with regulators to ensure that any safety suggestion includes proper scientific evaluation required to produce the most credible and authoritative research to date. The durability of motor coaches often results in 20 to 30 years of useful on-road service. Any prospective regulatory changes must be done correctly the first time. Safety equipment cannot simply be bolted onto a motor coach. It must be engineered into the vehicle’s architecture. The motor coach industry will vigorously pursue the safest occupant protection program necessary once the scientific research provides the proper guide.