When people think about traveling by bus, they may think about a school bus. While a school bus is an important method of travel for many of Washington State’s children, other buses are frequently used by Washington residents. From city buses to coach buses, bus travel is important for many residents on a day-to-day basis. Therefore, it is important that this method of transportation is safe. Just like with other modes of transportation, the risk of serious accidents increases if proper safety measures are not taken.
If you are considering a coach bus trip, for example, there are some safety measure that should be taken. You may wonder — how can you choose a safe coach bus for your travels?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration oversees the safety of large commercial vehicles including coach buses. The FMCSA recommends three steps in order to ensure that a bus trip is as safe as possible. First, people should plan a trip that is safe. According to the FMCSA, this includes being aware of how much driving is allowed by a coach bus driver. Under federal regulations, these drivers cannot exceed 60 hours of work in a seven day period and cannot drive for more than 10 consecutive hours. Therefore, routes and trips should accommodate these hours of service restrictions.
Secondly, the FMCSA recommends that a safe driver be used. People should make sure that the driver understands not to text and drive, has a safe driving record, has passed a medical examination and has appropriate drivers’ licenses.
Finally, people need to choose a safe bus company. The FMCSA has a ratings system in order to help people determine which coach bus companies follow the rules. People should make sure the company has good ratings, proper insurance and accessible and maintained vehicles.
Sadly, following these guidelines cannot prevent a serious bus accident. People should know their legal rights when a bus accident occurs. Depending on the situation, crash victims may be entitled to compensation for their injuries.