Planning on traveling by bus in Michigan this holiday season?
Take a few simple precautions to make sure your trip is safe and enjoyable.
Following is from the Michigan Department of Transportation:
If you’re planning an excursion or thinking about booking your holiday travel on a bus, be sure to check out the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s SaferBus app for your iPhone or iPad, or check out the Web site at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/saferbus. The free SaferBus app gives bus riders a quick and free way to review a company’s safety record before buying a ticket or while waiting to board a bus.
SaferBus provides access to the safety records of nearly 6,000 interstate commercial passenger carriers operating in the United States, which includes privately operated motor coach, school bus, and tour bus companies.
Following are some additional tips for safe bus travel:
- Use only reputable companies. Never select a bus company that lacks a certificate of authority to provide service. Call the MDOT Office of Passenger Transportation at 517-241-0679 or 517-241-0680 or check online to assure proper certification.
- A website or Craigslist advertisement does not guarantee that the operator is legal or reliable.
- Review the safety record of your carrier here.
- Make sure your carrier is licensed in Michigan by looking here. [need hyperlink]
- If you or someone you know is injured or killed in a bus accident, contact an experienced Michigan bus injury attorney to protect your legal rights.
- Know that all carriers must have liability insurance and no-fault insurance. If a carrier is not listed on the MDOT’s list of licensed carriers, it might not have the required insurance coverage either.
- Beware of bargains. Offering drastically reduced rates to charter or tour groups might also mean cutting corners on bus maintenance, safety compliance, or comfort features.
- Report mechanical problems or safety violations to MDOT. All reports are confidential.
Talk With a Michigan Bus Accident Attorney
Got a legal question or problem involving a vehicle accident or injury? We can help. Call a Bloomfield Hills personal injury lawyer at 866-474-8357 or use this online contact form for a free consultation.
The Stroble Law Firm represent clients throughout Michigan, including those in Macomb County, Oakland County, Warren, Clinton Township, Sterling Heights, St. Clair Shores, Mount Clemens, Utica, Roseville, Troy, Farmington Hills, Waterford, Southfield, Pontiac, Birmingham, Rochester Hills, West Bloomfield and Bloomfield Hills.
Sources:
- Michigan Department of Transportation www.michigan.gov/mdot http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-9620-289898–,00.html
- MDOT Bus and Rail Travel http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9625_21607_21616—,00.html
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s SaferBus program www.fmcsa.dot.gov/saferbus