Deadly Orland Tour Bus Crash Prompts New Charter Bus Safety Legislation

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — After a deadly tour bus crash near Orland claimed the lives of 10 people on their way to a college visit, a lawmaker is proposing new rules for charter buses.

Investigators recommended new regulations after the April 2014 crash between the bus full of students and a FedEx truck.

It was supposed to be a glimpse at their future, but the trip to Humboldt State instead ended the lives of 10 people, including five Southern California high schoolers. The truck driver, for unknown reasons, veered from his lane, hitting the Silverado Stages motor coach head on, causing both to be engulfed in flames.

The National Transportation Safety Board issued recommendations to keep passengers on charter buses safe. Within days, state Sen. Richardo Lara has introduced a bill to make the recommendations law.

His spokesman, Jesse Melgar, said the senator is passionate about making buses and others on the road safer, including giving passengers a safety briefing, just like on airplanes.

"There are reports that students didn't get, or weren't told where the exits were and so when we think about how accidents happen, in a split second you need to know where you're going to head and that's a matter of life or death," he said.

The proposed law would also increase exit signage on buses, exits would have to stay open on their own, and each bus would have a black box recorder, just like an airplane.

Attorney Robert Buccola has represented many victims of charter bus crashes and says there seems to be no consistency in safety.

"You may have a driver that's not been trained to deal with emergency response. You may have a bus that is antiquated that has flammable materials on board, you may have a bus that has a very poor exit system in the event of a mishap," he said. "We need uniformity, there is no question about it."

As it stands, the law would would only apply to charter buses, and not necessarily major bus lines like Greyhound, though the measure could expand in the future.

Greyhound says it's willing to work with lawmakers.