Senator Introduces Legislation to Improve Limo Safety

Senate Majority Leader Ellen M. Corbett (D-East Bay) has introduced legislation that aims to enhance limousine safety in California.

Following the deaths of a bride and four friends in a horrifying limousine fire on May 4on the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge—as well as a recent limo fire in Walnut Creek when 10 elderly women narrowly escaped serious injury or death as they headed to a birthday celebration—SB 109 will require two exit doors in the rear portion of limousine vehicles to allow for the prompt evacuation of individuals in the case of fire or other emergency.

This legislation will also require that at least two windows in the limousine passenger compartment of the vehicle can be pushed out, if necessary.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) currently oversees the limousine industry in the state and has been criticized for not being more proactive in responding to the ongoing safety needs of this transportation service industry that serves greater number of passengers per vehicle than traditional passenger vehicles.

“Though four young women luckily survived the horrible fire on the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge, the fact remains that five women perished unnecessarily and in a way that seems both incomprehensible and preventable.” Senator Corbett said in a statement.

“SB 109 will hopefully ensure that a tragedy such as the one that occurred on the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge on that fateful night never again happens.  Families should not have to suffer the horrible pain associated with losing a loved one in this tragic manner.  This legislation simply strengthens limo safety requirements in California by making sure that passengers can evacuate the vehicle quickly in the case of an emergency.”

SB 109 is currently in the Assembly Transportation Committee for consideration, though a hearing date has not yet been set.