TODAYonline

Govt 'seriously' considering seat belts on school buses

Loh Chee Kong
cheekong@mediacorp.com.sg

THE Ministry of Transport is "seriously" looking into making it mandatory by law for school buses to be fitted with seat belts, according to the ministry's Senior Parliamentary Secretary Teo Ser Luck.

The recent death of eight-year-old Russell Koh, who was thrown out of his school minibus after it was hit by two cars, has thrust the issue back into the spotlight some two years after a school bus accident injured eight pupils.

"With the recent accident and a few cases in the past, we're taking this issue very seriously. If there's a need for the law to be passed, we'll definitely consider it," said Mr Teo, who was speaking at the sidelines of a community event.

While "safety comes first", he stressed that the views of all stakeholders, including parents and school bus operators, have to be taken on board. No timeline has been set for the "pressing" issue, but the Land Transport Authority hopes to wrap up its feasibility studies "soon".

Apart from the type of seat belts to be used, the LTA is studying issues such as the seating positions in school buses and whether the additional costs of installing the seat belts should be borne solely by the bus companies.

"These are the issues we need to resolve, and we need to hear from the ground before we decide whether making it mandatory is feasible," said Mr Teo.

It has been reported that some MPs will push for a new law to be passed, and Mr Teo revealed that his ministry has "already received several questions" on the issue, tabled for the next Parliament sitting, which is likely to fall on May 26.

Reiterating his colleagues' calls, Bukit Panjang MP Teo Ho Pin, who feels the new law, if any, should extend to all passengers regardless of age, argued that it was within the means of bus companies to bear the seat belt costs.

He said: "Whatever the cost, safety is paramount, especially for school buses. The seats are normally designed for adults so it is a dangerous mode of transportation for ferrying children."