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The enforcement of seatbelt legislation in private cars has seen a reduction in the number of deaths and serious injuries among drivers and passengers and since belts became almost universal in coaches, a parallel coach crash claim reduction could have been expected.
However, the laws on seatbelt installation for minibuses and coaches, which were introduced in 2001, apply only to child passengers, i.e. those under-14, using both private and public vehicles.
The likelihood of a coach or bus accident involving schoolchildren led to this legislation in a bid to reduce casualties and there are now few multi-passenger vehicles on UK roads which are not fitted with seat belts.
However, unlike the usage of seatbelts in cars, which can fairly easily be seen by police officers, whether belts are being worn in an appropriate manner on board a coach can be difficult to tell from outside the vehicle.
Adult supervisors of children on coach trips should check those under their charge before the start of a journey to ensure belts have been fastened and passengers are seated sensibly but – children being children – it's quite possible that once out on the road, some of the youngsters will undo the restraints and put themselves at risk.
This is especially true of teenagers who may resent the restriction, despite having some understanding of the value of seatbelts in terms of reducing the severity of injury if a road traffic accident should occur.
Although the minibus and coach seatbelt legislation was aimed at child users, now that seat belts are fitted in all coaches, adult passengers can also benefit from using them and protecting themselves from the risk of injury or reducing its severity.
As with children, there is an issue regarding compliance with wearing the belts. Although young people cannot expect to be totally responsible for their own safety, a man or woman travelling in any type of motorised vehicle will be expected to have some awareness of the need to protect him or herself from harm.
Communication and information is the key for drivers helping passengers of all ages to realise the importance of using a seatbelt in a proper manner whenever the vehicle is moving.
Notices on the back of each seat and, if possible, regular broadcast reminders where the coach has a loudspeaker system should be used by public service vehicle owners and drivers to remind everyone on board of this simple but effective way to reduce hazards in the event of an accident.
YouClaim solicitors for a coach crash claim
Accidents in the UK necessitating a coach crash claim are fortunately rare but if you are unlucky enough to have been in one and suffered a serious injury, you may feel justified in claiming compensation for pain, suffering and loss of earnings.
Here at YouClaim we have a panel of experienced personal injury lawyers who can advise on how to seek damages from the person or organisation deemed responsible for your injury.
To find out more about our special coach crash claim service, you can send us brief details over the internet by using the claim form on this page and we'll get back to you or, if you prefer to speak to a member of our helpful legal staff, you can call free on 0854 10 757 95.
