Melbourne, Aug 29 (The Conversation) – The Stonehaven school bus accident in Victoria, which led to the tragic death of 12-year-old Milla Killeen and left many others injured, is a stark reminder of the potential devastation of bus crashes, despite their rarity.
Earlier in 2023, a bus crash in New South Wales resulted in the deaths of 10 people, while another accident near Melbourne led to the hospitalization of 18 school children following a collision with a truck.
Seatbelts are widely recognized as one of the most effective road safety measures, saving countless lives by reducing crash severity for vehicle occupants. Almost universally used in cars across Australia, their adoption in buses remains inconsistent, even when fitted.
Despite evidence on their effectiveness, bus seatbelt use is not as widespread. Therefore, it raises the question: What is the legal framework for bus seatbelts in Australia, and how can their use be enhanced?
Buses account for a small fraction of road fatalities in Australia, contributing to about 1.6% of fatal incidents over the last decade (2014–2023), with an average of 17 fatal crashes and around four occupant deaths annually. Less than 1% of road fatalities or hospitalizations involve bus occupants.
The size and mass of buses offer significant protection, and they are generally operated by professional drivers on safer routes. However, when high-speed collisions or rollovers occur, the lack of passenger restraints can exacerbate consequences, making passenger evacuation, particularly difficult for children and seniors.
Seatbelts in cars are designed considering the difference in deceleration and crash patterns compared to larger vehicles like buses. In cars, they are crucial as occupants are near rigid parts and face significant risks even in moderate crashes. Buses, because of their mass and height, are less prone to severe outcomes, except in less frequent major collisions and rollovers.
In such events, bus seatbelts function similarly to car seatbelts, minimizing ejection risks, mitigating secondary impacts, and preventing pile-ups of unrestrained passengers. Risk reduction is supported by crash simulations comparing unrestrained occupants to those with two-point and three-point belts, revealing the effectiveness of belts, with at least two-point configurations markedly boosting safety in rollovers.
Australian laws stipulate that passengers must use seatbelts if available on buses. Enforcement levels differ; for instance, in New South Wales, drivers must instruct passengers to buckle up, and non-compliance, especially involving children, can lead to fines for bus companies. Western Australia mandates lap-sash belts in all school buses. Other states predominantly place responsibility on passengers.
By November 2026, federal regulations will require all new buses to be fitted with seatbelts and reminder systems, extending to new existing models by November 2027.
However, compliance remains low, with wearing rates as low as 14% in some situations, influenced by perceptions of crash severity among young people and perceived benefits for adults. Discomfort, inconvenience, and the fear of entrapment deter usage.
Children pose unique challenges, despite evidence that they benefit from seatbelts in rollovers. Nevertheless, there are concerns about their ability to unbuckle in emergencies, highlighting the need for child-friendly designs that offer both safety during crashes and quick release for evacuation.
Operational aspects also factor in; drivers are impractical enforcers of seatbelt use when their duty is safe driving.
Addressing non-compliance could involve systematic approaches such as automated reminders, clear instructions, routine maintenance, and monitoring systems alerting operators of unfastened belts.
Decades of research underscore the life-saving potential of seatbelts, a principle applicable to buses but contingent on correct application. Ensuring usage consistency is imperative for legal reforms to yield tangible safety improvements.
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