Are limousines safe to ride in?

If you are attending a special event in New Mexico, there is a chance a limousine is involved. These luxury vehicles hold larger groups of people and are popular for nights out and celebrations of all kinds. Unfortunately, not all limos meet, or are even required to meet, safety requirements like other vehicles are and this puts passengers at greater risk of injury or death in the case of an accident, fire or other emergency.

According to NPR, a recent limousine accident resulted in the death of the driver, all 17 passengers and two pedestrians. Not only is this transportation crash the deadliest since 2009, it brings up inquiries about who is at fault. The intersection where the crash occurred is known for being dangerous, but there are also questions about the safety of the limo itself.

This is not the first limo accident to make the news. CBS New York reported about another crash that brought into question the safety of these vehicles. It is important to understand that not all limos are lacking essential safety features. Factory-built ones must meet strict safety requirements, but when other vehicles are modified into stretch limousines there is not a specific safety protocol. Many stretch limos are not required to have seat belts, air bags, emergency exits and other safety features. Vehicles that can carry 11 or more passengers must also pass strict inspections, but some limousine companies falsify information so they can avoid this process.

Before ordering a limo, you should ask about seat belts, emergency exits and other features. If the vehicle does not meet sensible safety requirements it is a good idea to continue your search with a different company.