New safety measure for Bunbury buses

23/3/93

Transport Minister Eric Charlton says a new safety measure introduced to bus operations in Bunbury will reduce the risk of accidents involving schoolchildren.

Mr Charlton said all inter-town buses carrying schoolchildren in the Bunbury region were now driving with their headlights on.

"This is a simple but effective measure to let all other traffic know that when an inter-town bus has its lights on during the day, it is taking children to or from school," he said.

"There is always a danger that a child having stepped off a bus may unthinkingly race across the road into the path of an oncoming car.

"Once motorists become aware that burning lights on a bus mean children are on board, they will be more alert and cautious when approaching or overtaking a stationary bus."

The initiative came from local citizen Mr George Kaperski and was agreed to by the Bunbury bus committee, a group comprising representatives of the Department of Transport, bus operators, local schools and the Education Ministry.

"I hope other communities will pick up on this idea as a means of contributing to safety efforts on our roads," Mr Charlton said.

Media contact: Dean Roberts 222 9595