There is a Danger of Injury Accidents Caused by Unsafe Bus Drivers and Bus Companies Similar to Truck Drivers and Companies
This site is mainly devoted to safety issues and accidents involving semi truck drivers and companies. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issues regulations that are designed to make the trucking industry as safe as possible and prevent fatal and injury accidents. However, bus drivers and bus companies are also subject to federal regulations because of the significant injuries and damage that can be caused by an unsafe bus or bus driver.
Earlier this month, 17 people died when a chartered bus went off the road and crashed in Texas. The bus company, formerly called Angel Tours but now called Iguala Busmex, had a poor track record and had buses taken out of service several times in the previous few years. A bus or semi truck is placed out of service when it is inspected and found to have safety violations that make it unsafe to continue operating. The bus or semi truck is then ordered off of the road until the violation is corrected. A few days later, another bus from the same chartered bus company was taken off of the road in Massachusetts, according to a recent news article. The company has been called an "imminent hazard" to the public by the FMCSA.
Additionally, an investigation into the bus driver who was involved in the Texas crash that killed 17 people revealed that he had been cited three times since 2001- once for DUI and twice for speeding. He also had two failed inspections as a bus driver approximately a year before the fatal accident.
Surprisingly, this bus company that had such a poor safety record and employed this driver with the bad driving history was used extensively by school districts in Texas. Clearly, those who employ bus drivers and bus companies need to investigate the driving and inspection records of these drivers and companies to make sure they are qualified to safely operate a bus.