Motorcoach travel is a very safe mode of highway transportation in the United States, transporting 750 million passengers per year. Despite this, over the past 10 years, motorcoach crashes have resulted in an average of 19 motorcoach occupant fatalities per year. Additional fatalities result each year among the pedestrians, drivers, and passengers of other vehicles involved in these crashes. Each of these fatalities is a tragedy that the Department strives to prevent. The transportation of passengers is the highest safety priority in the Department, requiring added vigilance. Based on analysis of the safety data, the Department assessed causes and contributing factors for motorcoach crashes, fatalities, and injuries, and identified opportunities to enhance motorcoach safety. As described in this action plan, DOT will pursue an integrated strategy addressing a range of issues. These include driver errors resulting from fatigue, distraction, medical condition, and experience; crash avoidance technologies; vehicle maintenance and safety; carrier compliance; and measures to protect occupants in the event of a crash such as seat belts, roof strength, fire safety, and emergency egress. DOT expects this strategy to result in a reduction in the number of motorcoach crashes and fatalities and injuries resulting from those crashes. The data show that driver fatigue, vehicle rollover, occupant ejection, and operator maintenance issues contribute to the majority of motorcoach crashes, fatalities, and injuries. From this, DOT has identified seven priority action items that will have the greatest impact on reducing motorcoach crashes, fatalities, and injuries. (Author/publisher)
Abstract