Crash sparks bus safety fears
YESTERDAY'S school bus crash at Maclean has reignited calls from the Greens for seat belts to be installed on all school buses across NSW.
Greens transport spokeswoman Cate Faehrmann said yesterday's bus crash at Maclean was the second school bus smash this month.
She said it was time the O'Farrell Government made seat belts on all school buses across the state mandatory.
"It's clear the NSW Government isn't doing enough to protect kids on school buses," Ms Faehrmann said.
"All states except NSW and Victoria have made seatbelts on school buses mandatory - usually after a serious bus accident. It's inexcusable that the NSW government is still refusing to act."
Ms Faehrmann also questioned how effective the School Bus Safety Advisory Committee had been since it was established a year ago.
"The Government has had access to the list of the most dangerous routes for years; it's not good enough that we're still waiting for recommendations from yet another committee."
"According to their website, the committee has met five times since being established in April 2011, issued three press releases, and asked for submissions.
"This rate of progress does nothing to inspire confidence in parents. They want seat belts and better rules on speed, standing and other concrete measures to improve safety for their kids."
Ms Faehrmann said the committee must act and speed up the process to legislate that seatbelts are mandatory on all school buses.
"No amount of delay can get around the fact that we need all our school buses to have seat belts. The Greens will welcome the recommendations of the committee but this very slow process can't be used to justify delaying action that is inevitable."
"It's simply taken way too long."
"It's time to fast track the installation of seat belts."
