Amended Pre-Trip Safety Information for Motorcoach Passengers |
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T.F. Scott, Darling, III
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
26 August 2016
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 166 (Friday, August 26, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59034-59036]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20493]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Amended Pre-Trip Safety Information for Motorcoach Passengers
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The FMCSA amends its pre-trip safety guidance recommending
that the motorcoach industry encourage passengers to use lap/shoulder
seat belts. This amended guidance is provided in response to National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations and the National
Highway Transportation Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Final Rule
published on November 25, 2013 [78 FR
[[Page 59035]]
70416] titled, ``Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Occupant Crash
Protection.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gregory Nahmens, Commercial
Passenger Carrier Safety Division (MC-ECP), greg.nahmens@dot.gov, 202-
366-5054. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., E.T., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On February 26, 1999, the NTSB issued recommendations H-99-7 and H-
99-8 to the Secretary of Transportation concerning safety briefing
materials for motorcoach operators, and pre-trip safety information for
passengers. The recommendations provided as follows:
H-99-7 Provide guidance on the minimum information to be
included in safety briefing materials for motorcoach operators.
H-99-8 Require motorcoach operators to provide passengers with
pre-trip safety information.
The recommendations resulted from NTSB's special investigation
report, ``Selective Motorcoach Issues,'' which included two motorcoach
crashes from the late 1990s where passengers felt a general sense of
panic and did not know what to do on a motorcoach during the emergency.
The NTSB concluded that emergency instructions can be crucial to a safe
and expedient evacuation in the event of a motorcoach crash or
emergency.
In the spring of 2003, FMCSA formed a stakeholder working group to
develop guidance in response to the NTSB recommendations. The working
group met on September 16, 2003. Because of the operational variances
in the industry, making it inappropriate to apply one basic regulatory
approach universally, FMCSA decided to allow motorcoach companies the
flexibility to conduct pre-trip safety briefings that are tailored to
each individual company's overall safety and operational procedures.
FMCSA concluded, based upon the diverse operational types of motorcoach
carriers, that it would be best to initially encourage the motorcoach
industry to take voluntary action to improve pre-trip safety awareness
for passengers.
A notice and request for comments was published in the Federal
Register on August 28, 2006, [71 FR 50971] which proposed the voluntary
adoption of pre-trip safety briefings by the motorcoach industry, with
flexible implementation in consideration of the diverse operational
types and styles.
On September 13, 2007, the FMCSA published a final notice in the
Federal Register [72 FR 52424] announcing the Agency's ``Basic Plan for
Motorcoach Passenger Safety Awareness,'' and ranking the recommended
safety topics in order of importance with a list of examples of the
various methods for presenting the safety information.
To assist the motorcoach industry with implementation of passenger
safety-awareness programs, FMCSA developed materials including two
sample pamphlets, a pre-trip informational poster, and an audio pre-
trip safety briefing which was translated into six foreign languages
and recorded. These informational tools were mailed to all registered
motorcoach companies, distributed at industry seminars and conferences,
and placed on FMCSA's Web site to encourage free downloading, adoption,
and use.
More recently, NHTSA published a Final Rule on November 25, 2013,
[78 FR 70416] titled, ``Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards;
Occupant Crash Protection,'' which amended Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards (FMVSS) numbers 208 and 210 to require lap/shoulder seat
belts for each passenger seating position in all new over-the-road
buses, and in new buses other than over-the-road buses with a gross
vehicle weight rating greater than 26,000 pounds, with certain
exclusions. Prior to this, seat belts were only required to be
installed for the driver.
On August 4, 2015, in response to a multiple-fatality crash in
Orland, California, the previous year involving a motorcoach and
subsequent fire, NTSB issued new recommendations to FMCSA concerning
safety briefing materials for motorcoach operators, and pre-trip safety
information for passengers. The recommendations are provided below.
H-15-14 Require all passenger motor carrier operators to (1)
provide passengers with pre-trip safety information that includes,
at a minimum, a demonstration of the location of all exits, explains
how to operate the exits in an emergency, and emphasizes the
importance of wearing seat belts, if available; and (2) also place
printed instructions in readily accessible locations for each
passenger to help reinforce exit operation and seat belt usage.
H-15-15 Update your Web site guidance to include information on
the mandated three-point restraints effective November 2016 for all
new over-the-road buses and for other than over-the-road buses with
a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 11,793 kilograms (26,000
pounds).
With this notice, FMCSA is adding the use of seat belts to the
previously issued pre-trip safety information for passenger carriers.
In an effort to assist motorcoach companies with implementing this
amended safety-awareness program for passengers, FMCSA has developed
sample safety information, which it makes available to motorcoach
carriers and passengers through presentations, during industry and
public safety events and through the FMCSA public Web site at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/passenger-safety/pre-trip-safety-information-bus-passengers. An electronic version of the safety briefing
information is available in both English and other languages. Content
is also available on the Agency's Web site which can be downloaded and
printed for the convenience and use of the industry and public. These
materials are available at no charge and can be used by motorcoach
companies whether they choose to distribute safety information to
passengers during boarding or elect to place safety briefing
information in the pouches or sleeves of the seatbacks.
Amended Basic Plan for Motorcoach Passenger Safety Awareness
FMCSA announces the following revisions to the Basic Plan; they are
listed in order of importance.
Amended Basic Plan for Motorcoach Passenger Safety Awareness
Recommended Safety Topics To Be Covered
1. Emergency exits--Point out the location of all emergency exits
(push-out windows, roof vent, and side door) and explain how to operate
them. Emphasize that, whenever feasible, the motorcoach door should be
the primary exit choice. Encourage able-bodied passengers to assist any
injured or mobility-impaired passengers during an emergency evacuation.
Provide passengers with sufficient guidance to ensure compliance with
49 CFR 392.62, ``Safe operation, buses.''
2. Seat Belt Use--If equipped, recommend the use of shoulder/lap
seat belts whenever passengers occupy any seating position.
3. Emergency Contact--Advise passengers to call 911 by cellular
telephone in the event of an emergency.
4. Driver Direction--Advise passengers to look to the driver for
direction and follow his/her instructions.
5. Fire Extinguisher--Point out the location of the fire
extinguisher.
6. Restroom Emergency Push Button or Switch--Inform motorcoach
passengers of the emergency signal device in the restroom.
7. Avoiding Slips and Falls--Warn passengers to exercise care when
[[Page 59036]]
boarding and exiting the motorcoach and to use the handrail when
ascending or descending steps. Encourage passengers to remain seated as
much as possible while the motorcoach is in motion. If it is necessary
to walk while the motorcoach is moving, passengers should always use
handrails and supports.
Methods of Presenting the Amended Safety Information
The following presentation methods are examples of how to present
safety information to motorcoach passengers. The list below should not
be construed to restrict combinations of the following methods or
additional presentation methods.
1. During passenger boarding--Informational pamphlets or printed
materials could be distributed to motorcoach passengers during
boarding.
2. After passenger boarding and immediately prior to moving the
motorcoach--
a. The driver requests the passengers to review informational
pamphlets/printed materials located in the seat back pocket.
b. The driver provides an oral presentation (similar to the
presentations by airline flight attendants prior to take-off) with or
without informational pamphlets/printed materials as visual aids.
c. An automated presentation over the motorcoach audio system.
d. An automated presentation over the motorcoach video system.
Timing and Frequency of the Presentation
Demand-responsive motorcoach operations, such as charters and tour
services, should present the safety information to motorcoach
passengers after boarding and prior to movement of the motorcoach.
Fixed route motorcoach service operations should present the safety
information at all major stops or terminals, after any new passengers
have boarded and prior to movement of the motorcoach.
Issued on: August 18, 2016.
T.F. Scott, Darling, III,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2016-20493 Filed 8-25-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P