Increased Penalties for Rogue Tour Buses Sought

Personal Injury News – State May 14, 2009

Sacramento – The state Assembly has passed a law increasing penalties for charter bus carriers that violate safety standards.

The law, sponsored by Assemblyman Ted Lieu (D-Torrance), was prompted by a fatal bus crash that killed 11 people and injured 34 others in Northern California last year.

The driver in the fatal crash who was ferrying passengers to a casino in Colusa did not have the proper license and the bus was found unregistered. The erring driver was later charged with vehicular manslaughter.

The Colusa accident exposed the growing problem of charter bus carriers and showed the rampant violation of safety standards in the industry.

The bill is now in the Senate for deliberation.