A coroner’s Prevention of Future Deaths report has highlighted the risk on predominantly rural bus routes where no seatbelts are required by law.
Brian Chapman, 76, died on the A47 near Wisbech St Mary in Cambridgeshire in 2018, along with the driver of the bus on a scheduled route between Peterborough and Norwich after the vehicle collided with a lorry turning onto the carriageway.
The bus was not fitted with seatbelts – in line with the legal exemption for those which are designed for urban use with standing passengers. The bus was travelling at approximately 53mph.
Coroner Simon Milburn, in his report published on 26 March, says: “Whilst there was no evidence that either death would have been prevented by the wearing of seatbelts, a number of other passengers were injured in the collision.
“I am concerned where buses are undertaking journeys such as this through predominantly rural locations and subject to the national speed limit without seatbelts being required there is an obvious risk of death to passengers if collisions occur, particularly at high speed.”
The bus route in question involved stops at “five or six” urban centres but most of the journey was on rural A-roads.
In his report to the Department for Transport (DfT), Mr Milburn says: “In my opinion, action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you (and/or your organisation) have the power to take such action.”
In response, DfT highlighted the current regulations regarding buses which are exempt due to the urban and standing clause. The response adds: “These tend to travel at moderate speeds on urban routes and are relatively heavy when compared to most of the adjacent traffic.
“This means that seat belts would have only a very limited road safety benefit and are not required to ensure comparable levels of protection between seated and standing passengers.
“Once a bus is approved for use there are no specific regulations to restrict the type of roads it can use and for standard bus services it is for the operator to choose the type of vehicle used to provide a given service, and this should take account of the type of intended operation.
“Exceptions to this cover contracted or tendered services where the local transport authority can specify the type of vehicles or equipment to be used, which could include requiring only vehicles fitted with seat belts.”
It added that Traffic Commissioners could use Traffic Regulation Conditions (TRCs) to prevent danger to road users.
It adds: “It would be for the individual Traffic Commissioners to determine whether their powers could extend to the use of a TRC to restrict certain buses from particular roads.
“Overall, we believe the existing regulatory framework is appropriate as it harmonises vehicle construction with the wider international community and provides proportionate safeguards whilst ensuring the legislative landscape is sufficiently flexible to meet the needs of the local community.”
DfT concludes that it would write to the Confederation of Passenger Transport to highlight the importance of operators selecting appropriate vehicles. It says it would also raise awareness of the issue with Office of the Traffic Commissioner.
