Limo Safety Bill Passes Assembly Committee

A bill enhancing limousine safety in California has passed the Assembly Committee, Senate Majority Leader Ellen M. Corbett, D-East Bay, announced this week.

The bill, which calls for increasing the number of required exit points in the passenger compartment for limousines, was introduced following the deaths of five women in a limo that caught fire on the San Mateo Bridge last month.

SB 109 requires that limousines have at least two rear side doors and two rear push-out windows that can be opened from inside the vehicle in the case of an emergency, according to Corbett's office.

The doors must be located on opposite sides of the vehicle and one will be required to be situated toward the front of the passenger compartment. The push-out windows must also be placed on opposite sides of the vehicle.

SB 109 also requires limousine operators to instruct passengers on the safety features of the limousine vehicle and to disclose whether the limousine meets the above safety requirements.

The bill applies to all limousines manufactured after Jan. 1, 2015 and contains a two-year phase in period for limousines manufactured or modified prior to that date.

“Five women died unnecessarily on the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge last month for one main reason: they were trapped inside a burning limousine with no viable way of getting out other than through a raging fire,” Corbett said in a statement.

“SB 109 will ensure that, regardless of where a future fire or other emergency may occur within the limo passenger compartment, passengers will be able to evacuate through another door or window. People usually use limos on happy occasions, such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and graduations. SB 109 will provide passengers that use limo services on these festive occasions with a greater certainty that they will be able to promptly and safely exit limos in the case of an emergency.” 

SB 109 is supported by the California Professional Firefighters.