Loma Linda California tour bus crash death toll rises to 8
The motorcoach involved in this tragic multiple wrongful death collision was operated by Scapadas Magicas LLC, and was carrying 38 people, including the driver and a tour guide. The fatality accident occurred around 6:30 p.m. on highway 38 near Yucaipa while the bus was returning the group to Tijuana, Mexico. Many people on the bus were friends who had scheduled the bus to take them to see snow in the mountains.
Most consumers are not aware of the fact that according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, motorcoach crashes resulted in an average of 17 occupant fatalities per year since about 2001.
In 2011, there were 8 serious motorcoach crashes resulting in 28 occupant fatalities. Two crashes in New York and Virginia, with a total of 19 fatalities and multiple injuries, clearly illustrate the devastation that can occur when individuals and companies operate outside the statutory and regulatory safety requirements.
When you study the numbers, it is clear that the motorcoach industry’s recent crash history reflects a higher average number of fatalities for the past 10 years than the earlier decade despite changes in vehicle miles traveled.
In addition to tour bus occupants, many crashes also result in additional fatalities and injuries of pedestrians, drivers, and passengers of other vehiclesinvolved in these crashes. Many of these incidents involve serious injury and property damage loss because of the size, heavy weight and speed of the moving motorcoach.
Currently, there are about 4,000 different companies operating over 35,000 vehicles in this industry. It can be a challenge for state and federal authorities to monitor these companies to make sure all safety regulations are being followed. Having said that, twenty-three percent (1,901) of all the violations cited during the compliance reviews involved improper or false driver records of duty status or other violations of the hours-of-service regulations.
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