TRENTON — Citing a pair of recent, fatal bus crashes in New Jersey and New York, U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg plans hearings on why changes in bus-safety rules proposed in 2009 have not come to fruition. Lautenberg, a Democrat who chairs a Senate subcommittee on surface transportation, says he'll hold hearings into the pace of rules changes, The Philadelphia...
TRENTON — Citing a pair of recent, fatal bus crashes in New Jersey and New York, U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg plans hearings on why changes in bus-safety rules proposed in 2009 have not come to fruition.
Lautenberg, a Democrat who chairs a Senate subcommittee on surface transportation, says he'll hold hearings into the pace of rules changes, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. He also wrote Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood seeking quicker action on the proposed changes.
The department proposed changes including installation of seatbelts for passengers, better roof-crush performance and onboard devices to monitor drivers' hours and fatigue.
A bus returning from a Connecticut casino crashed Saturday in New York, killing 15, while on Monday night a bus from New York to Philadelphia crashed on the New Jersey Turnpike, killing two people.
Previous coverage:
• NTSB joins investigation into fatal N.J. Turnpike tour bus crash
• First N.J. State Police trooper at fatal bus crash recalls chaotic scene
• Tour bus company in fatal N.J. Turnpike crash has among worst U.S. driver safety records
• Passengers describe bus accident on NJ Turnpike that killed two, injured dozens