A new design rule to improve seatbelt wearing rates in buses and coaches has been introduced by the Albanese Government to help save lives on our roads following consultation with the states, territories and industry.
The changes come in response to the horrific Hunter Valley bus crash in June 2023, which demonstrated the devastating impact fatal road crashes have on families and the wider community and industry calls for improved safety.
These new requirements for buses and coaches under the Australian Design Rules (ADR) will include visual and audio alerts similar to those featured when travelling by air, to encourage usage where 3-point seatbelts are already fitted. It also removes a loop hole that allowed some coaches not to be fitted with seatbelts.
Introduced as ADR 68/01 - Occupant Protection in Buses, these requirements will apply from 1 November 2026 for new models of buses and coaches, and from 1 November 2027 for new existing model buses and coaches.
While current data shows bus and coach travel remains one of the safest forms of transport, their size and passenger capacity can result in a greater number of fatalities and serious injuries in the event of an incident.
This new ADR is an outcome of the ongoing commitment to bus safety and co-operation with industry and states and territories by the Albanese Government. These new requirements are set to take the next step toward prompting passengers to protect themselves when travelling by bus and coach.
This new ADR is in addition to other design changes introduced by the Albanese Government, including mandating of lane departure warning systems for heavy vehicles.
