Just days away from the one-year anniversary of a limousine accident that killed 20 in Schoharie last October, the National Transportation Safety Board is calling for national limousine safety standards.
The NTSB specifically cites the deadly crash as one of the investigations that led to its recommendations.
It’s calling for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require lap and shoulder belts for all passengers in new limousines. It’s also calling on the National Limousine Association to educate its members on the benefits of using seatbelts and to encourage their passengers to use them.
They also say the New York State Department of Transportation should check and make sure limousine seat belts are functional and accessible during their regular inspections. Additionally, the NTSB recommended that the state pass mandatory seat belt legislation for all vehicles, including limos.
During their investigation, it was determined none of the passengers in the Schoharie crash were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. Seatbelt use “had the potential to mitigate injuries and increase survivability.”
But the NYSDOT says checking seatbelts during regular limousine inspections has in fact been protocol since the 90s, adding that Governor Cuomo has repeatedly put forward legislation that would strengthen seatbelt laws.
“It is extremely unfortunate these important measures have been repeatedly rejected by the legislature. We urge all lawmakers to join this crucial public safety effort and finally pass the requirement into law during the next session,” the agency said in a statement.
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer also responded to the recommendations, saying he’ll continue pushing for reform on the federal level.
“The NTSB’s new safety recommendations have shown us that we can, and absolutely must, do more to close the fatal gaps in limo-safety standards that contributed decisively to this tragedy,” Schumer said. “I’m inspired by the families of these victims who have, in the midst of their unimaginable suffering, made it their mission to increase the safety of these vehicles before more lives are lost, and am going to stand by their side every step of the way.”
Still, one local limousine company manager says new regulations won’t help if existing regulations are being ignored, as they were in the Schoharie crash. He says that’s where the legislature’s energy should be spent.
“These things being done aren’t going to stop what happened from happening again if you get someone who doesn’t have a mindset to be safe, or who could care less," said D.J., the manager of Ambassador Limousines. "Who is out just to make money and make it work without working, and it could happen again.”
The trail for limousine company Nauman Hussain was postponed from January to March 9. Hussain faces 20 counts of manslaughter and 20 counts of criminally negligent homicide in connection to the crash.