Plea for use of school bus seatbelts

PARENTS have been asked to warn their children of the importance of travelling safely after it emerged three out of four post-primary students are not wearing seatbelts on school buses.

Junior Education Minister Sean Haughey said a recent survey showed that 75% of the students were not wearing seatbelts while travelling.

He described the statistics revealed in the compliance survey carried out by Bus Éireann inspectors as shocking. “I am very disappointed that teenagers are disregarding their own safety and the safety of their fellow passengers,” he said

Mr Haughey said Bus Éireann surveyed 150 school bus routes in the spring and found the majority of primary school pupils were complying with the new law.

“With over 135,000 school children using these buses on a daily basis, we have to continue to enforce a message of safety for all pupils,” said Mr Haughey.

He said every school bus in the school transport scheme is equipped with seatbelts for use by each child and they must be used.

“Wearing a seatbelt is the law. I appeal to parents to ensure that this safety message gets through to their sons and daughters travelling to school each day.

“Teenagers should know the risks of not wearing their safety belts as well as the appropriate conduct that is necessary when travelling on the school bus.

“We will continue to keep the issue of compliance with seat belt wearing under examination in the coming school year,” he said.

Mr Haughey said as schools reopen, Belt Up Safely ads will again be featured on TV, radio and cinema screens.

“Every pupil who is using the school transport system will also be receiving an information leaflet on the acceptable codes of behaviour while travelling on the school bus.

“This leaflet is for parents and guardians to read as well. It highlights a number of areas of concern ranging from damaging the seatbelt or bus, refusal to wear a seatbelt to instances of bullying and threatening behaviour,” he said.

Mr Haughey, speaking during a visit to one of Bus Éireann’s school transport safety road shows in Co Cavan, said the majority of pupils travelling on school buses respect the property and value the service.

“However, in recent times there have been a number of incidents which have caused concern. Misbehaviour can affect the safety of fellow passengers and must be dealt with immediately.

“The new leaflet, being issued by Bus Éireann, sets out the sanctions which can be applied, either monetary or withdrawal of services for persistently misbehaving pupils,” he said.

The purpose-built school buses, one of which was on display at the show, includes special emergency doors which cannot be accidentally opened once the bus moves off.