U.S. DOT Orders Motorcoach Safety Review

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- U.S. Transportation Sec. Ray LaHood on April 30 ordered a full departmental review of motorcoach safety. A motorcoach safety action plan will be created from the review's findings. 

The review was prompted by a recent National Transportation Safety Board hearing concerning the motorcoach crash in Utah in January 2008 that resulted in nine fatalities. The report is expected to be completed and released by August 2009. 

The plan will identify steps needed to improve motorcoach safety for the millions of Americans who rely on these vehicles for safe transportation, the department said. 

"Motorcoaches have been a safe form of transportation in the United States for many years, but even a single crash or accident is unacceptable," said LaHood. "We will continue our efforts to make them as safe as possible." 

U.S. DOT agencies participating in the creation of the action plan include the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Federal Highway Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. The review will also consider outstanding recommendations to U.S. DOT from the National Transportation Safety Board.