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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; U.S. Senator Bob Casey has introduced legislation aimed at addressing driver fatigue in related bus tragedies.</p><p>Casey and U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier, D-California, say that America has seen an increase in tragic accidents, and driver-related problems are responsible for 60 percent of the fatalities occurring in inter-city bus crashes.</p><p>The Casey-Speier legislation would apply the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime provisions &#8212; which for decades have covered the majority of American workers &#8212; to inter-city bus drivers.</p><p>Casey, D-Scranton, introduced the Driver Fatigue Prevention Act to address the problems associated with driver fatigue.</p><p>Speier introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.</p><p>As it stands now, bus drivers are exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime provisions. This legislation would extend these overtime provisions to those drivers.</p><p>&#8220;We know that driver fatigue is causing accidents and we have an obligation to do something about it,&#8221; Casey said. &#8220;By ensuring that employers must compensate their bus drivers for every hour of work completed, they are less likely to overwork their employees. If my colleagues are serious about making our roads safer, then we must pass this legislation.&#8221;</p><p>Speier said when bus drivers are overworked and fatigued, there is a greater likelihood of accidents, injuries and deaths.</p><p>&#8220;We can&#8217;t afford it,&#8221; Speier said in a news release. &#8220;We owe Americans safety on the roadways.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Casey </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_Casey_recent_mug-cmyk.jpg</photo0><caption0>Casey </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Casey introduces Driver Fatigue Prevention Act