Lack of Highway Markings Led to Greyhound Bus Crash
The NTSB determined the fatal San Jose crash was caused by a failure to provide adequate guidance
The NTSB has determined that the Jan. 19, 2016, Greyhound bus crash in San Jose, California, was caused by a failure to provide adequate traffic guidance and highway marking. Two passengers were killed and 13 others were injured when the bus crashed, rolled up a barrier, rolled onto its side, and came to rest atop the barrier.
According to the report, a crash attenuator was not properly marked with a reflective sign. Only two of the 21 passengers were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. The two who died were not wearing seatbelts, and were ejected from the bus.
“This crash did not have to happen because the barrier that the bus hit should have been visible, even in the bad weather, but it was not,’’ said NTSB Acting Chairman T. Bella Dinh-Zarr. “Moreover, the crash would probably have resulted in fewer deaths and injuries if the occupants had worn their seat belts.”
The agency recommends that chevrons be painted in gore areas and left-exit signage improved.