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Paper Title:
An Evaluation of the
Issues associated with Seat Belts on School Buses
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Authors:
Debra Swadling, Shannon
Newman
Abstract:
ARRB Transport Research
Ltd was contracted to conduct a feasibility study into the potential
of conducting a trial of seat belts in contract school buses in
non-public transport areas. The purpose of this review is not to
determine safety issues related to seat belts as these are already
well established. Its purpose rather is to ascertain from a close
examination of Australian Design Rules (ADRs), Australian Standards,
the Australian Road Rules, the WA Road Traffic Act (1974) and the
WA Road Traffic Code (1975), whether it is technically possible
to conduct a trial, and whether any issues exist among these documents
which might have an impact on conducting a trial.
The purposes of any seat belt trial (if one is conducted) would
be to:
-gauge the public reaction to having seat belts on buses;
-determine whether students will wear them if they are provided;
-determine the problems faced by drivers and other parties involved;
and
-determine the impact on the capacity of buses.
This report summarises
developments in overseas jurisdictions relating to the fitment and
legislative requirements associated with seatbelts in buses. It
examines the current status in other States and Territories in Australia
with regard to seat belts on school buses. The report also presents
a discussion of vehicle design issues, as they relate to the vehicles
used to transport children to and from school in Western Australia,
identifying concerns and difficulties for consideration should a
trial of seatbelts be developed for contract buses in this jurisdiction.
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