Washington lawmakers are considering whether to beef up oversight of the party bus industry. At a public hearing Monday, the head of the state agency that regulates in-state bus lines said it’s a matter of safety.
Party buses are parties on wheels with limousine-style seating, flashing lights, music, video and sometimes even dance poles. They’ve been involved in fatal wrecks across the nation.
Dave Danner, who heads Washington’s Utilities and Transportation Commission, told a panel of Washington lawmakers that he needs more tools to regulate this emerging industry. He also wants a ban on double-decker party buses.
"Because, sad to say, that the second leading cause of death on a party bus — and this has happened to three people — involved their passengers on double-decker buses having their heads hit overpasses," Decker said.
None of those deaths were in Washington. But in 2012, an 11-year-old girl died in Portland when she fell out of the window of a party bus.
The proposal before the Washington legislature would also prohibit party bus operators from furnishing alcohol.
Passengers could bring alcohol on board with a special permit from the state Liquor Control Board.
