Trips Out - Coaches - Safety

[vik3000]

Last week I took the children out on some trips via the Childrens Center/Surestart on the coach.

Now back in summer they said that all children who needed a carseat by law had to be in one. This half term they decided that the children didn't need to be in one.

For the younger kids I took the carseats - (major hassle getting it all on and off the coach including all the bags, kids and general pushy shovey people). I'd rather be safe than sorry!

Anyway I just wondered where OFSTED stood on it and they referred back to the Standards about keeping children safe and was very vague themselves about it. Also ensuring that you have (written) permission from the parents for the child to be on the coach (with/without carseat etc) and any other vehicle you deem to be suitable. There is no actual law about children/carseats on coaches:

"Rear Seats in Coaches

Passengers over the age of 14 MUST wear seat belts in the rear coaches. However, all passengers are strongly advised to wear seat belts or the correct child seat on all journeys."

It is also up to the individual coach driver/operator! Not to mention the seats on the coach are designed and/or big enough to take a carseat. Also if a nursery are taking the kids out they can't be expected to get 30 odd carseats on and off - BUT surely it is recognised that these seatbelts are for adults and are not suitable for small children. I can see and understand the impracticalities of getting multiple seats on and off the coaches - don't get me wrong I am not expecting trips out to be cancelled/stopped.

There were some childminders (and parents)on the trip with young babies on their laps, kids jumping up and down on seats, running up and down the aisles and so on. do these people realisticaly think that accidents don't happen to coaches?



confused, annoyed and grumpy
from Darlo

ps - its the Monday morning blues!

;D

[susan]

I must admit it is the one thing I cant abide seeing is kids in cars and buses etc without seat belts, car seats, booster seats etc.... I always want to stop them and say do you realise if you break hard you child will end up going throught he windscreen and would be seriously injured ....

I think it should be law you have to wear seat belts on buses and coaches too


(rant over !!!)
xxx

[vik3000]

Summary of the Seat Belt Laws for Cars, Taxis and Private Hire Cars

Front seat / Rear seat Who is responsible?
Driver Seat belt MUST be worn if available. Driver
Children under 3 years old Correct child restraint MUST be used. Correct child restraint MUST be used

If one is not available in a taxi, then the child may travel unrestrained in the rear Driver
Children aged 3 and above, until they reach EITHER their 12th birthday OR 135cm in height Correct child restraint MUST be used Where seat belts fitted, correct child restraint MUST be used

MUST use adult belt if the correct child restraint is not available in three scenarios:

- in a in a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle ;
- for a short distance for reason of unexpected necessity;
- two occupied child restraints prevent fitment of a third.

In addition, a child 3 and over may travel unrestrained in the rear seat of a vehicle if seat belts are not available person responsible - Driver

Child over 1.35 metres, or 12 to 13 years Seat belt MUST be worn if available Seat belt MUST be worn if available Driver
Adult passengers (ie 14 years and over) Seat belt MUST be worn if available Seat belt MUST be worn if available Passenger


The law is vague (and in my opinion daft) regarding coaches.


I am like you Susan - it drives me potty to see kids unrestrained in a car/vehicle. Obviously their childrens lives are not important???

[sarahnev707]

It's one of my bugbears too! I just hate to see children running about - I know our local school won't hire coaches without seat belts...

My friend Damon has driven coaches for years, some on the continent... and he says the safety records are actually appalling.... but people don't hear about it and it's not shouted about like car safety

One of his friends had a heart attack at the wheel - he was only 45 but grossly overweight from a life of sitting driving a coach.... it's not just about the other idiots on the road - you're putting your life in the hands of someone you don't know!

Sarahx

[angeldelight]

I agree with everyone

Shame that a lot of people do not even think about things like this when their kids go on school trips etc

Despite all the rules and regulations I never understand why it is so easy to get on a coach or bus and let the kids run wild with no rule it just does not make much sense

Angel xx

[ajs]

in the summer our county group organised a fun day in nottingham castle
the local group organised a coach to take us there and while we were in the queue waiting for the coach to arrive everyone mocked me for carrying two car seats, one other minder then ran back and got her child's seat, but there was no way that i was going to risk the lives of the children in my care by not having them safely strapped in. whatever the others said.

[theresa]

nothing to do with coach safety or childminding but when i was in blackpool last week it was amazing how many young children were sitting on the open back window and leaning out (whilst sitting on the window) to look at the lights, there were also several children standing looking out of the sun roof, i would hate to think what those children would look like if they fell out of the moving car and most of the children were under 8!!!


xx

[mel]

I would insist on car seats. I think if it was my 3 year old with a child minder I would expect them to be using one so would use one for my mindees (if that makes sense!)

Mel x