WATCHDOG GROUP SEEKS U.S. RECALL OF SCHOOLBUSES
The Center for Auto Safety, a private
auto industry watchdog group, sought a government recall of
50,000 schoolbuses, charging that a defect in their manufacture
causes the buses to split open in a crash.
    The center said it asked the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) to recall all school buses built
since 1977 by Thomas Built Buses of High Point, N.C..
    "In the past seven years, 45 children were injured and six
killed in crashes of Thomas schoolbuses where the panels of the
buses split open at the joints," Executive Director Clarence
Ditlow wrote Transportation Secretary Elizabeth Dole.
    NHTSA is a part of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
    Ditlow said Thomas had failed eight body and three floor
joint tests since 1977. "No Thomas schoolbus tested for joint
strength since (a federal standard) was adopted in 1978 has
ever passed," he said.
    Officials of Thomas were unavailable for comment.
    NHTSA officials had no immediate comment on the recall
petition.
 Reuter
