Feasibility study for a trial of seat belts on contract school buses operating in non public transport areas of Western Australia.

ARRB Transport Research Ltd was contracted by the Western Australian Department of Transport to conduct a feasibility study into the potential of conducting a trial of seat belts in contract school buses in non-public transport areas. The purpose of this review was not to determine any relevant safety issues, but to ascertain from a close examination of Australian Design Rules (ADRs), Australian Standards, the Australian Road Rules, the WA Road Traffic Act (1974) and the WA Road Traffic Code (1975), whether it is technically possible to conduct such a trial, and whether any issues exist among these documents which might have an impact on conducting a trial. In addition, the issue is further examined to determine the potential cost and capacity implications for the WA school bus fleet if the WA Government proceeds with legislation or a code of practice to initiate the use of seat belts in school buses. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E206143. This paper may also be accessed by Internet users at: http://www.rsconference.com/index.html