Washington – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Aug. 16 released an advisory (.pdf file) that urges passenger bus operators to have policies in place to ensure their vehicles comply with suggested weight limits and tire pressures.

The advisory comes after preliminary investigations on recent double-deck bus crashes indicated the crashes were most likely due to low tire pressure and incorrect passenger and luggage distribution. According to an FMCSA press release, tires on motorcoaches that are loaded beyond their weight rating are more likely to overheat and fail when operating at highway speeds for extended periods.

FMCSA encourages consumers to use the agency’s SaferBus app to review passenger bus carriers’ safety records.