Know Your Facts

• Motorcoach Companies I Must be registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). I Must maintain their vehicles and inspect them annually. I Must have a minimum of $5 million liability insurance coverage. 1 Must comply with all other federal and state IC% Your Risks and Exposures— safety requirements. Actual "Worst Case Scenarios" 1 Jury awards $132 million settlement Motorcoach Drivers in bus crash lawsuit. O Drivers may not drive: 1 Settlement over Hurricane Rita bus fire brings closure ($80 million). 1 More than 10 hours without at least 8 consecutive hours off 1 Lawsuit targets tour operator in Utah bus crash. 1 After having been on duty 15 hours (including driving) without at least 1 Chartering parties may be held liable 8 consecutive hours off for negligent selection of bus operator. 1 After having been on duty: CC It takes 20 years to build a • 60 hours in 7 days, or reputation and five minutes to Before You Hire a • 70 hours in 8 days ruin it. If you think about that Motorcoach Company 1 Without a valid Commercial Driver's License you'll do things differently. ,5 What You Need to Know (CDL) with a Passenger Endorsement and a valid medical certificate on their person. —Warren Buffet Not all motorcoach companies are A presentation that further the same, and price should never addresses these important safety be the only consideration when issues is available from ABA. hiring a motorcoach operator to transport your group. Where to Get Help Aii4)

AMERICAN BUS ASSOCIATION American Bus Association Phone: 202-842-1645 Web: www.buses.org Sponsored by

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration industry Phone: 1-800-832-5660 VVSYTA The Voice of Student & Youth Travel' Web: www.fmcsa.dot.gov council n How to Choose and Work with vs, a Safe Motorcoach Company— Safety Checklist k Obtain their USDOT number and check their FMCSA safety rating at www.fmcsa.dot.gov . k Ask to review their pre-trip safety briefing information. Ikr Check if the company has someone accessible 24/7 for handling contingencies and emergencies. ikr Ask for a copy of their form MCS-90 insurance document. (The FMCSA requires all for-hire carriers of passengers to maintain this document.) k' Visit and inspect the prospective motorcoach company's office and mainte- nance facilities. Meet the management. k Ask if the company has a driver drug and alcohol testing program which complies An All Too Common Occurrence— Tour Operator/Group Leader with U.S. Department of Transportation Don't Get Caught in This Trap! Responsibilities—Be Sure to 0 0 (DOT) regulations. Use This Safety Checklist! Three bus companies indicated the need to add Ikr Ask if the company subcontracts with others a relief driver on the first and fourth day of an Know the trip plan and final itinerary, k for equipment and or drivers. If so, be sure to extended trip due to driver hours of service and make sure it is in compliance with the know who those companies are and if they regulations. The tour operator ultimately driver's "hours of service regulations." are in compliance with DOT regulations. contracted with a less reputable bus company Know the motorcoach company and drivers. that followed the original itinerary without relief r drivers. The tour operator only considered cost. *r Effectively communicate with the What do you think the tour operator's liability motorcoach company and driver. RMONT would be if an accident occurred? IV' Review the trip itinerary and resolve any issues before the trip begins. Demand sufficient time for the driver and group leader to review the itinerary and resolve any concerns. IVr Discuss any itinerary changes with the motorcoach company during the trip.

In the event of an accident, the tour operator, in addition to the bus company, could be held both civilly and criminally negligent.