| |
SINGAPORE : The wearing of seat belts on new small school buses is to be made mandatory. Transport Minister Raymond Lim revealed this on Saturday during a regular dialogue with constituents - where he said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is currently working out how best to do this.
The issue of seat belts on school buses is not new.
But it gained prominence when eight-year-old Russell Koh was killed last month in an accident many felt could have been avoided had he been wearing a seat belt.
Since then, there has been a call for seat belts in school buses to be made compulsory.
The Transport Minister agrees. So, for a start, it will be mandatory for all new small buses to have seat belts.
It will take more time though for existing fleets.
Mr Lim said, "For existing small buses, this is more complicated. They come in different designs and seat configurations, so the LTA will have to factor this into account when they work out how best to implement this.
"The key issue here is not just simply installing seat belts but it's to ensure that when you install the seat belts, that it is effective in enhancing safety. They have announced that they will take about three to six months to do this. If they can do it sooner, they will do so. What is important is that they do this in a conscientious and timely manner."
The seat belt requirement will only be for small buses with up to 15 seats - and not big ones.
Mr Lim explained, "Big buses - because of their design, their size, their weight - are better able to take the impact of a collision. So if you take a look at countries that have mandated seat belts, they have done so for small buses - so there is an international practice, and we'll follow that."
Parents have also expressed concern that while agree on the need for seat belts, the transition process could be disruptive for children.
So the LTA will consult them and other interested parties like schools, before finalising implementation details.
One other issue is cost.
Industry players have said that retrofitting such vehicles will then mean they can accommodate fewer students.
This means lesser revenue for them and they will then have to pass on the increased costs to parents in terms of higher fees.
Asked whether the government could consider helping out parents, Mr Lim steered clear of the issue, saying such across-the-board help, especially when some parents could well afford any extra charges, was not effective.
Instead, targeted help for low income families - as the government does for all cost of living issues - was a better option.
However, LTA will consider providing financial assistance on seat-belt installation costs. - CNA/ms
|
