Federal Motorcoach Safety Legislation Scheduled to Be Re-Introduced Following Latest Tragedy
School Transportation News – Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) co-authored three previous bills to enhance motorcoach safety following the deaths of seven Bluffton University baseball players after their bus crashed in Atlanta in 2007. Sen. Brown again called for several improvements to the vehicles and for drivers after another fatal crash involving the University of Mount Union wrestling team.
The crash occurred Jan. 11 on eastbound U.S. Highway 30 when the motorcoach driver attempted to pass and instead collided with a snow plow. Twenty-eight passengers were on board, including the student-athletes, coaches, statisticians, an athletic trainer and athletic training students. Both drivers were uninjured, but Mount Vernon Director of Athletic Training Dan Gorman was killed. Four others were injured and later released from the hospital.
“The news of last night’s fatal bus accident in Bucyrus [Ohio] seemed all too familiar.” Sen. Brown said. “That’s why I introduced legislation to overhaul motorcoach safety regulations, with the aim of dramatically reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries caused by these accidents. Sadly, this common-sense measure has been blocked in the Senate."
