The crash that claimed 20 lives in upstate New York is bringing long overdue attention to the dangers of “Frankenstein limos,” safety advocates say.
The monstrous name refers to cars made by assembling parts from several vehicles to get the supersized interior, which appears to be how the limousine that crashed in Amsterdam, N.Y. was made, said Deborah Hersman, president and chief executive of the National Safety Council, a nonprofit organization based in Itasca, Ill. The crash is also a tragic reminder that consumers are often on their own when it comes to vetting a limo company’s safety record. State laws vary, and there’s no quick way for passengers to search a vehicle’s inspection history or driver’s record.
‘These limos may be cut apart and put back together with pieces that were not part of the original manufacturer.’ —Deborah Hersman, president and chief executive of the National Safety Council
The limousine that crashed in upstate New York, killing the driver, 17 passengers and two pedestrians, failed a safety inspection last month and its driver wasn’t licensed to be behind the wheel, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Monday. “The driver of the vehicle, the quote-unquote limousine, did not have the appropriate license to be operating that vehicle,” he said. “Second, that vehicle was inspected by the New York State Department of Transportation last month and failed inspection and was not supposed to be on the road.”
Prestige Limousine Chauffeur Service in Gansevoort, N.Y., which operated the limousine involved in the crash last weekend, failed 4 out of 5 recent inspections, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. It had a 80% failure record for the 24 months prior to Oct. 8, 2018, service reports show, compared to a 20.7% national average between 2009 and 2010. The telephone line to the limousine service did not appear to be connected, but the company said it was taking all vehicles off the road pending further inspections.
Are stretch limousines safe?
Hersman told MarketWatch she was concerned about the safety and ability of stretch limousines to respond in an emergency, particularly these kinds of unnaturally long “Frankenstein” limos that can cost between $75 and $200 per hour and are popular with birthday celebrants, and pre-wedding parties for groomsmen and bridal parties. “These limos may be cut apart and put back together with pieces that were not part of the original manufacturer,” she said. The vehicle involved in the crash appears to have been constructed from an original 2001 Ford Excursion F, -3.35%
‘Trying to determine the actual pedigree of these vehicles will be an important part of this investigation.’
“Consumers are under the impression that someone is looking out for their safety,” Hersman said. “They may think these vehicles are coming out of an assembly line and tested for safety. Trying to determine the actual pedigree of these vehicles will be an important part of this investigation, particularly in relation to this 2001 Excursion.” Laws regulating vehicle safety vary by state, she added, and limousines can undergo minor or major reconstruction. “There isn’t necessarily a one-size fits all for vehicles,” she added.
The New York Times reported that one passenger sent texts (“the motor is making everyone deaf”) complaining about the car’s condition. Prestige Limousine said in a statement: “We are performing a detailed internal investigation to determine the cause of the accident. We have already met with state and federal investigators, and plan to do so again.’’ (Ford said in a statement: “At this time, Ford does not have any information about the vehicle involved in this accident, but we are ready to cooperate with agencies who are investigating.”)
How to make a stretch limo
Online videos show how to make stretch limousines. It involves them being sawn in half and building a new space for large parties to sit, which effectively creates a different car with new suspension systems, floors and wheels. One such instruction video, which adds 18 steel bars are used to reconstruct the frame and, in theory, pass road safety laws, says, “What party limo could roll around Sunset Strip without the all important bar?” Many have disco lighting, TVs and stereos, all of which require a bigger demand on the car’s batter and fuel reserves.
‘You are paying for a product and you are entitled to have a safe service. Get out of the car if you feel uncomfortable.’
“The bad news is there’s no one stop shop for consumers to check on these vehicles,” Hersman said. (Inspections relating to the Prestige Limousine Chauffeur Service was searchable on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Safety and Fitness Electronic Records System.”) “If you feel uncomfortable with a vehicle or a driver, please make sure you voice that,” Hersman adds. “Don’t feel like you have a social pressure to conform. You are a consumer paying for a product and you are entitled to have a safe service. Get out of the car if you feel uncomfortable.”
How do you remain safe in a limousine, especially if you are seated without air bags? Trust your instincts. “There are times when I have exited cabs and ride share vehicles when I did not feel safe,” Hersman said. “In some cases, the seat belt didn’t work or the driver as distracted.” Passengers have a responsibility too, she added. Roughly 15% to 20% of drivers who would normally use a seat belt in the front of a car don’t when they sit in the back seat, she said. That’s a mistake, she said. “If there are seat belts available, use them.”
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