The New South Wales (NSW) government is being urged to make bus seatbelt mandatory following a tragic accident in the Hunter Valley in June. On October 13, the state government announced its acceptance of all five recommendations from a safety report commissioned after the bus tragedy. The incident, described as the worst road disaster in Australia for almost 30 years, resulted in ten deaths and over 20 people being hospitalized when a coach carrying 40 passengers crashed near Greta in the Hunter Valley.
The bus driver, Brett Andrew Button, is facing 62 charges and the case is currently before the courts. The safety report highlighted the need for improved seatbelt compliance across the bus industry and made several recommendations, including mandating the use of seatbelts and implementing an 80km/h speed limit for school bus services with standing passengers.
To address seatbelt compliance, a new safety campaign will be launched to educate passengers about the importance and legal requirements of wearing a seatbelt on a bus. The campaign will emphasize that using a seatbelt can double the chances of surviving a crash and reduce the risk of injury. It will be displayed on buses and coaches in the coming weeks, with a second campaign planned for the peak holiday travel period.
Transport Minister Jo Haylen has emphasized the importance of seatbelt laws and urged everyone to remember that seatbelts save lives. However, concerns have been raised about the potential for government overregulation. Some political experts argue that while seatbelt compliance is important, too many regulations could interfere with people’s lives. Former Liberal Senator Eric Abetz has called for a more minimalist response from the government, focusing on personal freedoms and avoiding excessive regulations.
Overall, the NSW government is taking steps to improve bus seatbelt compliance following the tragic accident in the Hunter Valley. Recommendations from a safety report have been accepted, a new safety campaign will be launched, and there are ongoing discussions about balancing the need for regulations with personal freedoms.