Sen. Charles Schumer is urging federal officials to take action to address gaps in safety standards for stretch limousines after four women were killed in a crash on Long Island.
The New York Democrat wants the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and National Transportation Safety Board to implement higher safety standards for stretch limos and aftermarket motor coaches.
He believes many passengers don't realize there are hidden dangers when they ride in some limousines, which could prove tragic for those celebrating weddings, proms and other special occasions.
Limousines built in factories are already required to meet stringent safety regulations, but when cars are converted into limos, safety features are sometimes removed, which leads to big gaps in safety protocols, he said.
"When they make them into stretch limos, they don't meet those standards," Schumer told The Associated Press late Saturday. "They need air bags. They need better seating."
Schumer's proposal comes just two weeks after a fatal limousine crash in Long Island wine country. The crash that left four women dead and four others seriously injured.
Messages left at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and National Transportation Safety Board late Saturday were not immediately returned. Representatives with the Long Island Limousine Association, which represents more than 1,000 limo drivers in New York, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Schumer's proposal.
