PITTSBURGH — According to the federal Motor Carrier Safety Measurement System, 26 of Pennsylvania's 159 motorcoach companies licensed to run interstate trips are deemed a "higher safety risk," the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.
The system identifies carriers as risky when past incidents or investigation reveals they exceed acceptable benchmarks in at least one of five areas: Unsafe driving, driver fatigue, driver fitness, drivers operating while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and vehicle maintenance.
Fatal motorcoach crashes in recent months, including one involving a Pennsylvania operator, have brought increased scrutiny on a growing industry that even some of its biggest advocates say is underpoliced. For the full story, click here.