The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced new rules aimed at reducing the risk of injuries and fatalities to bus passengers.  As a Houston bus accident attorney, I believe Texas desperately needs stronger bus safety laws, because of the several serious and fatal accidents that have occurred here recently.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s new rules will strengthen standards for commercial driver’s licenses.  Under the new rules, any person who wants to obtain a commercial driver’s license must first obtain a commercial driver’s learner’s permit.  The rule also creates a national standard for commercial driver’s licensing tests.  Currently, states have their own licensing standards.  Under the new rules, all commercial drivers’ licensing standards must meet the standards of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.

The new rule also bans the use of foreign language interpreters for testing, to avoid misuse of CDL testing procedures.  The new rules would also give the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration greater powers to crack down on bus companies that continue to operate under a different name and address after a serious accident.  Besides, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration wants to empower consumers to learn more about a carrier before they begin a journey.  The federal agency unveiled a checklist that consumers can use to check a bus company’s safety record, safety rating and DOT operating authority before they chose a carrier.

Over the past few years, a series of deadly bus accidents in Texas have caused grave concern to transportation safety agencies and Houston personal injury attorneys. In August 2008, a bus carrying Vietnamese pilgrims crashed near Sherman, Texas killing 17 people and injuring dozens of other passengers.  Then, last year, a tour bus rollover near Campbellton, Texas killed two people and injured at least 18 passengers.  I am hopeful that the new rules will plug many loopholes in federal and state safety regulations that contribute to accidents.

Vuk Vujasinovic is a Board Certified Houston personal injury attorney who practices Houston auto accident and other personal injury cases.

For more info on how Vuk can help you with your potential case please call him at (877) 724-7800 or fill out the contact form on the right.

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