Alcohol-fueled parties that take place on buses outfitted with smoke machines, music, flat-screen TVs and brass poles are coming under the scrutiny of a Washington regulatory agency.
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission completed a report in April looking at incidents on so-called “party buses.”
It found 21 deaths and 48 injuries related to party buses operating in the U.S. and Canada since 2009. No incidents have occurred in Washington state.
“What we learned gave us reason for concern,” said commission chair David Danner, speaking at a meeting Wednesday of the Joint Transportation Committee.
The report found the most common reason for death was because a passenger fell out of the moving bus. Others died after hitting their head on an overpass while on the top deck of a bus. In two cases, underage passengers died after drinking an excessive amount of alcohol.
Danner said party buses are a “new and growing phenomenon.”
In Washington state, 33 companies operate party buses, but only 14 hold a UTC charter party certificate. Those companies without certification may not have proper insurance, safe vehicles or drivers that have been drug tested, Danner said.
Danner encouraged lawmakers at the meeting to consider a bill that would clarify the law on party buses.
He pointed to a recently enacted California law, which requires party buses carrying minors to have a chaperone to ensure there is no underage drinking. The chaperone is held liable if any incidents occur.
TVW taped the meeting, and the archive video will be available here.