19.02.24

Bus Safety Week 2024

Newcastle Transport is calling on drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycle riders and public transport users to ‘Be Bus Aware’ in support for the Centre of Road Safety’s Bus Safety Week.

The annual campaign runs from 19 to 25 February and highlights the importance of bus safety for all road users.

 

Here’s just some of the alarming statistics from NSW:

  1. Since 2018* there have been 48 fatalities from bus crashes (including mini buses) in NSW
  2. Of the 48 fatalities, 15 (31%) were pedestrians, eight (16%) were drivers (of vehicles other than a bus), seven (14%) were motor cyclists, four (8%) were bus drivers, two (4%) were passengers (of vehicles other than a bus), 11 (23%) were bus passengers and one was a pedal cyclist (2%)

* Data as at up to midnight on 29 November 2023, Transport for NSW.

 

Here at Newcastle Transport, we have a fleet of almost 200 buses, completing over 1,300 trips across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie each day.

This Bus Safety Week, we’d like to thank our customers for being bus aware and engaging in safe behaviour on and around buses.

When on or around buses don’t forget: buses are large, heavy vehicles and can’t stop quickly.

For motorists and road users:

  1. Give way to buses when they are merging into traffic
  2. Avoid merging too closely or cutting in front of a bus
  3. When bus lights flash it means the bus is picking up or dropping off school children, so make sure you slow down to 40km/hour

For customers:

  1. Press the button well before your stop to give the driver plenty time to stop safely
  2. Wait until the bus has stopped before you get out of your seat
  3. Always wait until the bus has gone to cross the road safely and use designated pedestrian crossings if available.

This year, to highlight the need to Be Bus Aware, we’ve shared a compilation of CCTV footage of near misses from the past year on Newcastle Transport services. You can check out the alarming footage below.

To learn more about Bus Safety Week and how you can stay safe on and around buses head to www.BeBusAware.com.au