Should all buses and coaches used to transport children be fitted with seat belts?
In Northern Ireland transport of school children is integrated with the public transport bus network. Indeed, pupils currently account for over 50% of total passenger journeys. As they are concentrated within the hours of peak usage, it follows that virtually all Ulsterbus and Citybus vehicles convey school children during the relevant periods. The question therefore implies “should seat belts be fitted to all public transport buses?”. This is contrary to the trend of legislation in UK and Europe which promotes the use of seat belts primarily on long distance and higher speed operations. To this end Ulsterbus has voluntarily equipped its entire fleet of Goldliner Express coaches used to provide the faster, inter-urban services right across the province, even though seat belts are not legally mandatory on the relevant category of operation. At present there are some difficulties associated with widespread fitment of seat belts. A secure anchorage is essential if seat belts are to prove
