MORE THAN SEATBELTS

There is need for a consistent, safety-based approach to the operations of minibuses as a whole. In 1994, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) approached many organisations and sought advice to develop such an approach. A small working group was formed, from which a Code of Practice resulted, copies of which will be sent to organisations concerned with minibuses, and also be available from RoSPA. This article discusses the Code's recommendations, which will require all minibuses and coaches, carrying children up to the age of 16, to have seat belts fitted to every seat within the vehicle by 10 February 1997. RoSPA considers that a significant proportion of minibuses and coaches, which have had seat belts fitted retrospectively, will not meet the regulations, despite repeated explanations by the Department of Transport (DoT). Although three-point seat belts are standard in cars, it is very difficult to fit them to minibuses and coaches, made much before 1994, without making major alterations to the vehicle. This is because the older type fittings cannot carry the significant loadings that belted passengers would place on them in the event of a collision. Seat belts of the new type should be checked at MOT tests of vehicles after installing them.

• Corporate Authors:

  ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS

  EDGBASTON PARK, ROSPA HOUSE, 355 BRISTOL ROAD
  BIRMINGHAM,   United Kingdom  B5 7ST
• Authors:
  • Rogers, D
• Publication Date: 1996-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 14-5
• Serial:
  • CARE ON THE ROAD
  • Publisher: ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Buses; Children; Federal government; Inspection; Legislation; Manual safety belts; Minibuses; Motor vehicles; Organizations; Public transit; Safety; Specifications
• Uncontrolled Terms: Modifications
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 1272: Bus; 1758: Child; 183: Government (national); 1556: Legislation; 1263: Minibus; 9048: Modification; 9057: Organization (association); 744: Public transport; 1665: Safety; 1476: Safety belt; 177: Specifications; 8119: United Kingdom; 1575: Vehicle inspection
• Subject Areas: Law; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00729748
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Dec 26 1996 12:00AM