(August 16, 2010) U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced a proposal that would require new motorcoaches to have lap-shoulder belts to help prevent driver and passenger ejections during a collision. The proposed rule will take effect three years after the final rule is issued.

"We're committed to making sure that motorcoach travelers reach their destinations safely," said LaHood. "Seat belts save lives, and putting them in motorcoaches just makes sense."

While bus travel is a very safe mode of highway transportation in the U.S., carrying 750 million passengers annually, an average of 19 motorcoach occupants are killed each year on U.S. roadways, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) noted. Wearing lap-shoulder belts on motorcoaches could reduce the risk for passengers of being killed in a rollover crash by 77 percent, it said.

Today's announcement is just the latest initiative from the U.S. Department of Transportation to improve motorcoach safety. Earlier this year, the department released a Motorcoach Safety Action Plan offering steps for addressing driver fatigue or inattention and improving operator maintenance.

Research for improving motorcoach structure, fire safety protection and emergency egress is also under way, which could lead to recommendations for new federal standards in the future.