Safety is everyone's problem By Carmen Daecher

For years, I have heard how "safe" the motorcoach industry is. The industry points to its safe reputation based upon statistics kept by the Federal Department of Transportation. It keeps reminding everyone that it is not the trucking industry. And it keeps calling for rules and regulations that recognize it as a separate, unique and "safe" segment of the commercial motor vehicle industry.

During the past two years, a series of tragic accidents, the results of motorcoach vehicle inspections and compliance reviews provided to motorcoach operators have placed a dark cloud over the reputation of the motorcoach industry. Now every motorcoach accident is a news event.

Maybe some of these tragic accidents cannot be linked to a controllable cause; however, most of these accidents could have been foreseen and the elements that caused them could have been controlled in advance of their occurrence.

Out-of-service defects being found by commercial vehicle enforcement officers across this country are not overnight occurrences. Brakes out of adjustment, frame rail cracks, etc., happen over time. They can and should be seen by people within an organization in advance of being seen by the inspector.

Unsatisfactory or conditional ratings as a result of a compliance review may occasionally be subject to debate; however, more times than not, these ratings are a result of negligence in overseeing necessary functions and procedures. We have always complained about "the other guy" - the guy who breaks all the rules, doesn't care about the maintenance of his vehicle and brings down the price of a trip because of it.

Ironically, "the other guy" is the reason why operators have demanded motorcoach inspections and compliance reviews. Unfortunately, operators are caught in their own web. While "the other guy" may be bringing down the price, he is not the only guy who has problems.

Then again, there has been unprecedented demand for motorcoach services over the past few years. But unprecedented economic health cannot be a reason for operational mediocrity.

I have been hearing for years about the driver shortage. This problem won't solve itself. Operators must create the solution. They need to start recruiting at fire stations, police departments, military bases - any place where retirement is eminent. Job fairs and open houses are good sources, too. Referral bonuses for new drivers are also a good idea.

Driver time management is the leading cause of unsatisfactory or unconditional ratings. Allegations of log falsification and excessive driving time are indications of uncoordinated management within this area. Dispatchers, maintenance managers and anyone else should have the obligation to not only make good business decisions, but safe business decisions.

I often also see daily vehicle inspection procedures that are not completely carried through, resulting in breakdowns and the overlooking of safety defects.

A simple procedure of required signatures on daily vehicle inspection reports should ensure better compliance with regulations and result in safer vehicle conditions. These reports should be signed by the driver performing the post-trip inspection, any mechanics or person who repairs safety defects and the driver performing the pre-trip inspection the next day.

It is time to change to meet the demands of safe performance and customer satisfaction. Operators can no longer hide behind what "the other guy" does. It's time to meet the challenge.

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