Bus operators were reminded of the deadly consequences of being distracted while behind the wheel after the National Transportation Safety Board released findings from its investigation into a tour bus crash last year near Dolan, Ariz.

The initial crash investigation results found that a lane departure warning system would have alerted the driver of the initial drift from the driving lane. A stability control system, already widely used in automobiles, could have reduced the likelihood of the driver losing control of the bus and rolling over.

Seven passengers were killed and nine others and the driver were injured when the driver became distracted while attending to the driver-side door as the bus was traveling about 70 mph on a divided highway. As the vehicle drifted out of its lane, the driver over-steered in an effort to correct the drift of the 2007 Chevrolet/Starcraft 29-passenger bus. The result was that the bus crossed the median of the four-lane highway and rolled over.

Bob Riley, executive director of NASDPTS, said in an e-mail to members that the distracted driving finding was most relevant to all buses including school buses. But NTSB also made several recommendations that could affect the industry, such as NHTSA requiring new commercial motor vehicles with a GVWR above 10,000 pounds to be equipped with lane departure warning systems, stability control systems and electronic on-board recording systems.

NTSB also recommended that NHTSA clarify the scope of bus safety initiatives, develop regulatory definitions and classifications for each of the different bus body types that would apply to all U.S. Department of Transportation agencies and promote use of the definitions among the bus industry and state governments. It also renewed its call to improve motorcoach roof strength, occupant protection, and window glazing standards for vehicles above 10,000 pounds, except school buses. NTSB also wants NHTSA to develop performance standards for all newly manufactured buses with a gross vehicle weight rating above 10,000 pounds to require that overhead luggage racks are constructed and installed to prevent head and neck injuries and remain anchored during an accident sequence.