National Transportation Safety Board Mandates

The NTSB responded to a fatal motorcoach crash recently by recommending mandatory tire pressure monitoring systems in all motor vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds, incuding school buses, and that motorcoach passenger safety be improved.  In 2008, a motorcoach crash in Texas killed 17 and injured another 38 which was in part caused by low tire pressure that resulted in the driver losing complete control of the vehicle. 

One proposed change to be requested in the 2010 National Congress on School Transportation is that tire pressure checks must be conducted by drivers during the pre- and post-trip walk-around inspections, and that operators be familiar with how tire pressure monitoring systems work, if used; local school districts can require TPMS at their discretion.