School bus seatbelt rule is a class issue

Sir, – I have over the past four years sought clarification on the use of seatbelts on buses from the various houses of parliament and departments of transport.

It transpires that seatbelts must be fitted to all buses, mini buses and coaches with one exception, those designated for urban routes when standing is also allowed.

The exemption for local transport applies so long as the entire route is in a “built-up” area. That is defined by reference to a “restricted road”.

Restricted road has a specific meaning in law, as a road with street lights no more than 200 yards apart in England and Wales or 175 metres apart in Scotland. These are roads for which the normal speed limit is 30mph.

This exemption also applies to a vehicle which is constructed or adapted for the carriage of standing passengers and on which the operator permits standing.

Over time however the concept of “urban” bus has risen like the phoenix. I cannot find where this arose and have concluded that there was an error of transcription. The end result is that these buses, generally double decker buses, are exempt.

There is now a myriad of such buses traversing the countryside with our schoolchildren every day. None have seatbelts.

It is most disappointing that our parliamentarians did not understand this and simply implement the current law rather than allow exemptions.

The recent bill at Holyrood, while welcome, has simply resulted in a requirement for those travelling to private schools be fitted with seatbelts, while those going on the same route to a state school may not.

Dr Jonathan O’Riordan. Linden Avenue, Newport on Tay.