Abstract
Buses are one of the safest means of transport. As by comparison across Europe by the European
Transport Safety Council (ETSC), the risk factor in travelling by bus of 0.08 fatalities per 100 million kilometres ridden is at the same level as that of public air transport - Chart 1, /1/. A similar figure can also be expected for school buses.
The literature to date includes only a small number of sources which deal explicitly with the issue of accidents involving school buses. As also observed in the case of serious accidents involving long-distance coaches, accidents involving school buses attract a large amount of public attention. Not only those directly affected - the children - but most especially the parents and teachers have a major interest in information concerning the safety of school buses. However, their attitudes may also be clouded by emotional fears which frequently lead to excessive demands being made. As a general principle, schools and other state institutions have an obligation to provide protection to the most vulnerable members of society. Furthermore, many children gather their first experience of independent use of public transport in the school bus. For reasons of safety and environmental protection among others, it is in the general interest that that experience should be as positive as possible.
This paper is the result of a pilot project run by DEKRA Accident Research. It is intended to help analyse and present the risks of school bus transportation in an objective manner. Differing definitions and statistics are set out, data material is analysed and interpreted. This results in a presentation of the "status quo" relating to the school bus as an accompaniment to the ongoing debate. Costly quick-fix solutions with little or no effect, based on emotional argumentation, are not helpful in achieving the desired objectives. Finally, proposals for the improvement of safety in school bus transportation are listed and a positive example of its organisation is detailed.