NSW to urgently review installation and enforcement of seatbelts on buses following fatal Hunter Valley crash

The New South Wales (NSW) government is actively considering various measures in response to the Hunter Valley bus crash. One of the key actions being explored is retrofitting seatbelts on more buses and coaches, along with stricter enforcement of laws requiring passengers to wear them. The Minns Labor government has directed the NSW bus industry taskforce to address safety management, seatbelt usage, and regulatory arrangements in the state, which are of current concern.

Specifically, the taskforce has been tasked with evaluating the effectiveness of the existing program that retrofitted seatbelts on school buses in regional NSW over the past decade. The government wants to determine if this initiative can be expanded to include buses in other areas of the state. Additionally, the taskforce will assess the enforcement of seatbelt laws to ensure compliance and enhance passenger safety. These actions are part of the government’s urgent response to improve bus safety and mitigate risks in NSW.

Currently, the use of seatbelts on buses in New South Wales (NSW) is not mandatory for all types of buses. While coaches and regional school buses are typically equipped with seatbelts, commuter buses used in cities and for suburban school services are designed without seatbelts to accommodate standing passengers.

Furthermore, although it is a requirement for individuals on board a bus with seatbelts to wear them, drivers are not legally responsible for ensuring passengers comply with this rule. This lack of enforcement has raised concerns among experts, creating a gray area in terms of seatbelt usage on buses.

As part of their evaluation, the NSW bus industry taskforce will consider whether any recommended changes should be made to the Australian Design Rules for buses and coaches. These rules serve as the national standards for ensuring road vehicle safety.

In addition, the taskforce will examine the safety management systems implemented by bus and coach operators. This will involve assessing areas such as driver training and fatigue management to enhance overall safety measures within the industry. These comprehensive evaluations aim to identify potential areas for improvement and enhance passenger safety on buses in NSW.

Following the establishment of the taskforce by the Labor government in March, its primary focus was to address industry concerns such as declining services and driver shortages. However, in light of recent safety issues, the government has expanded the taskforce’s scope to include safety considerations. As part of this expansion, Darren Lane, a seasoned safety expert with previous government advisory experience, has been appointed to provide independent safety advice within the taskforce.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen emphasized the need to take action in order to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. Haylen acknowledged the life-saving potential of seatbelts and expressed willingness to implement stricter enforcement measures if necessary to prevent similar incidents.

The taskforce has been given a deadline to provide early safety findings, with a report expected by 31 July. This timely response demonstrates the government’s commitment to addressing safety concerns and taking proactive measures to enhance the overall safety of the bus industry in New South Wales.

Following the tragic incident at the Hunter Valley wedding, the parents of the groom have called for stronger seatbelt laws. However, experts have raised concerns about the feasibility of making drivers legally responsible for ensuring all passengers are wearing seatbelts. Prof Stuart Newstead, the director of Monash University’s accident research centre, explained the challenges of monitoring a large number of passengers, questioning how drivers could enforce seatbelt usage throughout the entire journey.

To address this issue, Newstead suggested exploring seatbelt detection technology, similar to what is commonly found in cars, that could be adapted for buses. This technology would alert the driver if a passenger’s seatbelt is not fastened. He also mentioned the possibility of using interlock technologies, which limit a vehicle’s speed if a passenger is not wearing their seatbelt, preventing the bus from exceeding a certain speed threshold.

However, Newstead also acknowledged the potential challenges and complexities of implementing such technologies in buses. He raised concerns about the practicality of stopping a bus or the consequences of triggering an audible warning for a single passenger.

These insights from experts highlight the complexities involved in addressing seatbelt enforcement in buses, underscoring the need for careful consideration and exploration of viable solutions to enhance passenger safety without placing undue burden on drivers.

Newstead also mentioned several other safety technologies that could be considered for implementation in buses and coaches. These include automatic emergency braking, which activates when a potential collision is detected, and automatic stability control, which adjusts the vehicle’s trajectory to align with the steering direction. Additionally, he suggested the use of black box-like devices that monitor and ensure drivers adhere to legal speed limits.

According to Newstead, these technologies are readily available and could be implemented promptly to enhance safety in bus transportation.