Buses in fast track to safety

A north-east MSP is bidding to make lifesaving seatbelts on school buses mandatory.

Gillian Martin is bringing forward the Seat Belts on School Transport ( Scotland) Bill, which will force local authorities and other education providers to ensure vehicles used in dedicated home-toschool transport are fitted with belts.

Nosuch legislation exists, meaning there is no legal obligation to have seat belts fitted.

East Aberdeenshire MSP Ms Martin, who was elected for the first time in May, said she hoped the bill would change attitudes in the same way as legislation instructing people to wear seatbelts in cars.

The Scottish Government has long planned to make seatbelts a legal requirement on school

“A vital bill to ensure the safety of our young people”

transport, with a working group created to consider the issue over the last two years.

MsMartin said: “I am very pleased to take forward this bill which would represent another vital step in improving road safety for school pupils.

“No one thinks twice about wearing seatbelts in cars since the changes in UK legislation – and I would hope to see a similar attitude shift stemming from this bill.

“The Scottish Government ha s already worked closely with organisations such as Transport Scotland, Coslaandothers in looking at this issue, and I look forward to engaging with a wide range of stakeholders as we progress the vital bill to ensure the safety of our young people.”

Ms Martin will bring forward the legislation as a members’ bill.