Seatbelts should they be compulsory .

[VINNY100_2]

Its been said on the radio that there were no seatbelts on that tragic crash in eire.My Wifes auntie died and we went up to london on friday with National Express.We were the only ones that used the seat belts.Should The driver or company make it clear that all passengers wont be able to travel if they dont wear the seatbelts provided!!

[rod]

I have not traveled on a coach for 10-15 years. I�m glad they have seat belts. I�m sure they are breaking the law if not wearing seat belts where fitted. The driver may also be in trouble if passengers under a certain age are not wearing seat belts .Out of interest what provision do they make for babies regarding seat belts, what If they were to turn up with a pushchair would the driver allow the baby to spend the journey on the persons lap?

[trionam]

I think they should be compulsory, I do think that the girls chances of surving would have been greater had they been wearing seatbelts,I hope that in light of this terrible tragedy Bus Eireann and other Bus companys will adopt this policy

[trionam]

I agree rod but in Ireland it is not compulsory in Ireland to wear seat belt on a bus so no law was broken,hopefully this will change.

[Octavius]

I don't know the details of the crash, but I think that people under 14 (as required by law I think) should be MADE to wear a seatbelt and anyone over this is accepting their own responsibilities.  The driver should not be held to account if an adult (over 14 according to the law of seatbelts) decides or chooses not to wear one.

[trionam]

The main problem if this case was that there was no seatbelts on the bus so the kids had no choice wether to wear them or not.

[silly moo]

I travelled on a scheduled coach twice recently. The wearing of seatbelts is not compulsory BUT it is reccommended by the driver in his safety chat at the beginning of the journey.
Personally I never wear a seat belt unless it is a legal requirement to do so.
They are not a safety device in all types of crash. In fact in some cases the wearing of a seat belt can be a cause of even more serious injury.

[VINNY100_2]

I respect all your answers,But personaly I Always wear a seatbelt yes even in a taxi(not sure what the law is in eire or the uk)And anybody who doesent wear one in my car Walks!! Im sure in most curcumstances they are a life saver.

[trionam]

I agree with you vinny I always wear a seatbelt when I am a passenger in a car and likewise I insist that people do the same when in my car, I always think of the safety campaign ad where the policeman says at the end "it was the guy without the seatbelt that did the damage".

[Ouisch]

Interesting pro and con points about seatbelts on school buses here:

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a981106a.html

[Octavius]

trionam I didn't know that.  In the first instance I believe that coaches/school busses should have seatbelts available for those who wish to wear them, and under 14's should have to.  The drivers safety chat and a few stickers on the back of the seat with warnings should suffice.  Once the driver starts driving there is nothing to stop children taking the belts off, but they should be aware of the dangers.

Saying that though, my local bus to the station doesn't have seatbelts and they often go over 30mph down the high street throwing us all over the place.... 

[flaming]

I agree that they should be compulsorily fitted and worn. Even at 30 mph a big vehicle swerving or 'bumping' can do much damage to passengers, never mind a serious accident.  I didn't like being made to wear a driver's when they first came in for cars, but I soon got used to it, and wouldn't dream of going without now.  If in coaches I use them, and in mini-cabs and black cabs too.