SF Explores Tour Bus Legislation After Fatal Pedestrian Crash Outside City Hall

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - San Francisco officials are exploring whether the city can act on its own, without statewide legislation, to keep tour bus drivers from simultaneously playing tour guide too after a deadly accident in front of City Hall.

The city may be able to compel tour bus companies, which are regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission, to comply with stricter local standards if they only operate within San Francisco, said Supervisor Jane Kim.

"There may be some flexibility for tour busses that don't cross the county line," Kim said.

The driver of a motorized cable car was arrested for vehicular manslaughter after he ran over a woman in the City Hall crosswalk because, police say, he was pointing out City Hall to sightseers instead of looking out for pedestrians.

"We strongly believe that a tour bus operator should not be giving a tour while driving. It clearly is leading to injuries, and in this case unfortunately, fatality."

The victim, 68-year-old Priscila "Precy" Moreto, worked in the city Controller's Office.

Jane said the City Attorney's Office is researching whether San Francisco has the authority to pass an ordinance requiring a separate non-driving tour guide, rather than simply passing a resolution calling on state lawmakers to act.

"This type of activity absolutely should be regulated, if not by San Francisco then by the state," she said.

"Our first preference is legislation. If we can't do legislation, we'll pass a resolution."