Nashville Clamps Restrictions on Party Buses After Accident

The party bus needs to slow down, Nashville officials decided this week.

Nashville’s Metro Council voted 33-3 to approve new regulations for the city’s numerous entertainment vehicles that often loudly cruise down lower Broadway. The Tennessean newspaper reported that the council enacted on an ordinance that establishes a permitting process. It also gives the city the authority to approve routes and oversee driver eligibility and training.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Council member Freddie O’Connell, adding that a “huge coalition of people” helped draft the bill.

The new bill also restricts alcohol consumption on unenclosed vehicles, to take effect on Dec. 1. O’Connell said further legislation will be introduced to regulate alcohol consumption under certain conditions.

The so-called transportainment industry has long been known for its tourist-filled party buses, trucks and tractors. Calls for regulation increased earlier this year when a tourist fell off a party bus and was run over and injured.