MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
A Division Of The
Department of Public Safety
Public Information and Education Division - PO Box 568 - Jefferson City, MO 65102
NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
Q482013-1 (573) 526-6115

April 8, 2013

EMPHASIS: Motorcoach Safety Inspections

On February 14, 2013, Department Of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Administrator Anne Ferro brought together key safety, industry, and enforcement organizations to ask for support in DOT's work to improve the safety culture in the motorcoach industry and educate the public on safe travel. FMCSA's approach has is a three-phase plan with both immediate and long-term actions, which includes three main components: enforcement, stakeholder engagement, and consumer outreach.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol completely supports this approach to improving safety on our roadways. Each year, since 2008, the Patrol has conducted motorcoach inspections at destination locations in Branson, Kansas City, and St. Louis, in cooperation with MoDOT Motor Carrier Services, the Kansas City Police Department, and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. The inspections are done while the motorcoaches are unloaded, so as not to inconvenience the passengers, and to ensure a safe travel mode when those motorcoaches are loaded and back on the road.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has 22 officers/inspectors that are trained to inspect motorcoaches. In 2012, MSHP personnel inspected 278 motorcoaches. During this time period, 41 driver violations were detected with 19 drivers being place-out-of service. Also, 100 vehicle violations were located with 15 vehicles being placed out-of- service.

Currently, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is working on a policy regarding procedures for inspecting motorcoaches in transit, and the Patrol welcomes the support and cooperation of the motorcoach industry and the other stakeholders in safe motor coach travel.


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