More New York Motor Vehicle Inspectors on the Beat
High profile bus accidents this year have prompted the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) to increase the number of safety inspectors in the state.

December 02, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- More New York Motor Vehicle Inspectors on the Beat

High profile bus accidents this year have prompted the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) to increase the number of safety inspectors in the state. Even though there have been several deadly accidents, New York state has some of the strictest regulations in the nation for bus safety.

In one of the unfortunate transportation accidents, a tour bus carrying more than 30 passengers flipped over on an upstate highway. The bus landed upside-down in a ditch. Four people were seriously injured and many suffered minor injuries, according to the Broome County Sheriff's Office. One woman was trapped under the bus after she was partially ejected through the escape hatch on the roof of the bus. The woman was rescued and sustained several cuts on her face. The likely cause was an accidental tire blowout.

Inspection Program

The NYSDOT requires that charter buses are inspected every six months. Each year drivers must pass a road test and all drivers must maintain a clean driving record. Governor Andrew Cuomo has increased the number of safety inspectors in the state to make sure that the biannual inspections take place.

Motor Vehicle Inspectors conduct a 60 - 90 minute inspection of a tour bus. The initial inspection of a new tour bus can take even longer. During the inspection, maintenance records, preventative maintenance program records and driver inspection reports are reviewed closely. Paperwork must document all maintenance and inspections.

A tour bus may be placed "Out of Service" if a serious defect ("A" rated defect) is discovered that must be repaired. No inspection certificate will be issued until a subsequent inspection finds the defect has been corrected. For less serious defects an inspection certificate is issued, but the defect must be fixed prior to carrying any passengers ("B" rated defect) or within 15 days ("C" rated defect).

Approximately 154,000 inspections are conducted each year. The majority of the inspections are for school transportation services; however, motor coach charter services make up a good number of the inspections as well. You can look up inspections records for various tour bus companies at the NYSDOT website.

Federal Initiatives

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer of New York has asked the federal government to post letter grades for discount tour bus operators. Letter grades would provide consumers with an easy way to see the safety record of a company. Bus safety information is already public, but a letter grade would make the information more assessable.

If you have been injured in a tour bus accident, you need to contact a personal injury attorney who will explain your rights.

Press Release Contact Information:

FL Web Advantage