On November 8, 2007, Senator Brown (D-OH) introduced the Motorcoach Enhanced Safety Act of 2007 (S2326).
Within one year of enactment, the bill would mandate that the Secretary of Transportation issue regulations:
- requiring seat belts in motorcoaches at each designated seating position;
- requiring motorcoaches to be equipped with advanced glazing to prevent partial or complete ejection of passengers;
- requiring installation of improved onboard fire fighting equipment.
Within two years of enactment, the bill would mandate that the Secretary of Transportation issue regulations:
- requiring enhanced compartmentalization safety countermeasures (enhanced seating designs);
- establishing enhanced occupant impact protection standards for motorcoach interiors;
- requiring motorcoaches be equipped with enhanced stability control (e.g., ESC, roll stability, etc);
- requiring enhanced conspicuity of motorcoaches;
- establishing improved flammability test procedures;
- establishing enhanced motorcoach fuel system integrity standards;
- requiring enhanced emergency evacuation designs and enhanced emergency lighting.
Within three years of enactment, the bill would mandate that the Secretary of Transportation issue regulations:
- requiring adaptive cruise control;
- requiring automatic fire suppression systems.
The Act directs the Secretary to complete a study on the above issues by Sep. 1, 2008.
The Act also sets out numerous driver safety measures and additionally requires that motorcoaches be equipped with onboard recording devices linked with engine functions and electronic control modules that record driver hours of service.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.