Bluffton crash keys legislation

TOLEDO (AP) — In the hours after David Betts died, his father made a promise to his son’s teammates who survived a bus crash that killed four other Bluffton University baseball players.

John Betts told them something good would come out of the accident. Since then, Betts has pushed for improved safety on long-haul buses

Now, two U.S. senators have proposed requiring seat belts on charter buses and passenger buses that travel from state to state.

The legislation introduced Thursday also would require changes designed to prevent passengers from being thrown out windows and increase training for drivers. The proposal doesn’t apply to city buses or school buses.

“There’s no question this will save lives,” Betts said.

David Betts, a sophomore second baseman, was among the five players killed when the charter bus the team rode in toppled off an overpass in Atlanta nearly eight months ago. The bus driver and his wife also died.

Two of the players killed and some who were injured were thrown out of the bus and pinned underneath it. Only seats in the first few rows had seat belts.

The National Transportation Safety Board for years has recommended improved restraint systems, including seat belts, that many experts say could prevent passengers from being tossed around and ejected.

Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, also want stronger bus roofs that will hold up in rollover accidents and more protection against fire.

A bus in Texas carrying elderly people fleeing Hurricane Rita in 2005 caught fire because of an unlubricated wheel axle, killing 23 passengers.

Bus industry representatives say more testing is needed to determine what would make the vehicles safer.