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Tonko Leads Bipartisan Push for Limo Safety Reform in House

Life-saving legislation would prevent future tragedies such as 2018 Schoharie limo crash

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AMSTERDAM, NY—Congressman Paul D. Tonko, chief architect and lead House sponsor of comprehensive national limousine safety reform legislation (fact sheet & detailed summary) announced today that he has introduced the reform package in the House of Representatives and is pushing for the bill to be taken up immediately.

“For too long, the families of those souls lost in the deadly Schoharie limo crash have shouldered the burdens of grief and responsibility without federal resolution,” Congressman Tonko said. “From the very first day when we gathered around them to share in their grief, these families found the strength to speak out and turn personal tragedy into a fierce and inspiring drive for reform. And from that first day, their wisdom and guidance have defined my work on this bipartisan national limousine safety package. As we turn the corner on this pandemic and seek a return to many of life’s celebrations, Americans should be able to trust the limousine carrying their loved ones is safe. That isn’t the reality today. Congress needs to advance our limousine safety reform legislation immediately so no family has to suffer this kind of preventable tragedy again.”

Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand are reintroducing the Senate version of the legislation and have championed this cause in the U.S. Senate since these reforms were first introduced in October 2019—on the first anniversary of the tragic Schoharie limousine crash that took the lives of 20 people, the deadliest U.S. transportation disaster in a decade. Congressman Antonio Delgado is the lead sponsor for one of the three reform bills that make up the package. Rep. Elise Stefanik is the lead Republican cosponsor.

In October 2019, in honor of the one-year anniversary of the tragic Schoharie, New York limousine crash earlier that month, Congressman Tonko marched to the House Floor to call on Congress to move forward with this bipartisan limousine safety package. The full package was ultimately advanced and approved by the House of Representatives last year as part of a major infrastructure package and the sponsors remain optimistic of the bills advance under new Senate leadership.

The SAFE Limos Act (Safety, Accountability, and Federal Enforcement of Limos Act of 2021)

  1. Requires that limousines have safety belts for every designated seating position and adhere to federal standards for seats and seat assemblies
  2. Closes the loophole that currently allows used vehicles to be converted into limousines without meeting federal safety standards
  3. Requires limousine manufacturers to submit “vehicle modifier plans” detailing how they will comply with strict federal standards
  4. Directs research into side impact protection, roof crush resistance, and air bag systems for protection of occupants based on various seating configurations
  5. Requires NHTSA to conduct research and issue standards that can aid egress and regress in the event that a primary exit from the limousine’s passenger compartment is blocked
  6. Requires limousine operators to prominently display last inspection dates, results & correctives

The Take Unsafe Limos Off the Road Act

  1. Incentivizes states to strengthen policies to impound or immobilize unsafe limousines to be eligible for federal funds.

The End the Limo Loophole Act

  1. Updates “Commercial Motor Vehicle” definition to include vehicles modified to seat 9+ people

 

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