Fatal Bus Accident Statistics – New York
Bus safety is managed at the federal and state level. Government regulations have focused on inspections and limiting the number hours in consecutive days a driver can work. Traveling on a bus locally and over long distances is generally safe, but accidents do occur; the number of fatalities varies from one year to the next.
Data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, managed by the Federal Highway Transportation Safety Administration, show the following statistics from 2011 to 2015:
Year | Number of Fatalities |
---|---|
2011 | 18 |
2012 | 0 |
2013 | 0 |
2014 | 3 |
2015 | 4 |
However, the New York Post reported ten fatalities involving these types of vehicles in New York City, and eight in 2012. As of March 2014, five people had been killed in these type of collisions, including an individual struck while crossing the street and a veteran driver whose vehicle was rammed by a stolen truck. The report indicated the number of fatalities was on the rise because four fatalities occurred in 2011 before a notable increase began.
State Inspections
The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) operates a bus inspection program that requires vehicles to be inspected every six months. Procedures are established by state law and take about 60 to 90 minutes. The size and type of vehicle affect how long an inspection takes, while preventative maintenance, reviews of maintenance records, and driver inspection report checks take place concurrently.
If any defects are found, they are rated, and vehicles are either issued an inspection certificate, and either ordered to correct problems before carrying passengers or a date to fix any issues found. Repairs must be completed before the vehicle leaves the inspection facility. Otherwise, a date must be set for re-inspection. The NYSDOT performs more than 150,000 inspections each year, many of which are on buses.
City Accidents in the News
In 2011, a crash on Interstate 95 killed 14 passengers after the vehicle was hit by a tractor-trailer, according to a bus driver statement to authorities. After hitting a pole, the bus toppled on to its side and sliced through the vehicle, cutting it in half along the length of the roof. Operated by World Wide Travel, the bus was transporting people from Chinatown in the city to Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut.
In February 2017, a commuter bus and a car collided on Route 17. One man was killed, and several were injured. The 2005 Honda involved in the incident lost control in snow and ice, causing it to swerve into the next lane.
Crash Risk Factors
Regardless of the driver involved, studies have shown that the same risk factors are involved in bus accidents. Some of these include:
- Road surface conditions
- Vehicle type and capacity
- Day of the week
- Number of vehicles involved
- Risky behaviors
- Use of restraint systems
Those with a history of violations, particularly young and elder motorists, face higher risks associated with wet road surfaces, roadway profiles, and collisions with cyclists on the road. Any of these factors and the ones above can impact the severity of a fatal accident.