Hi there Liz,

 

It's good to hear from you (my reminder of Thursday has only netted two more responses, including yours . . . . . . . ).  Here's the original correspondence of 22nd January 2004:

 

"Goodmorning,

In 2001, Peter Beattie convened the "Queensland School Transport Safety Task Force."  The final report of the "Task Force" made several recommendations to increase the safety of school children in Queensland (in regard to their transportation to and from school) - including the introduction (over time), of seatbelts on school buses.  The report acknowledged that while school bus accidents are (thankfully), not (statistically speaking), frequent events, the potentially horrific consequences of one serious school bus crash are so grave that it justifies the fitment of seatbelts on all school buses over time.  In fact, Emeritus Professor Peter Joubert OAM predicts that (in current circumstances), a single school bus crash could kill around 50 children - and leave around 90% of the survivors with massive injuries.  I have several questions for you:-

• Have you read the full text of Professor Joubert's letter (available at www.geocities.com/seatbelts2004 )  ?  Professor Joubert is the author of all the current Australian Design Rules (in relation to interstate coaches), he's been awarded the Order of Australia in relation to his services to engineering and he headed the committees in the wake of the Kempsey/Grafton bus crash horror (1989 - 52 dead, many more horribly injured).

 

• Do you unequivocally support the FULL implementation of the recommendations of the Queensland "Task Force" within the life of the next Parliament (2004/2007)?

 

• In what practical ways do you (or have already), intend to support/advocate for the full implementation of "Task Force" recommendations? (e.g., for instance, speaking in parliament, writing letters, serving on committees etc.)

 

I very much look forward to your response.  It will be posted to www.geocities.com/seatbelts2004 as soon as it is received.

Best wishes - Kim Bax"

Professor Joubert's letter (the one I refer to above), is actually on the front page of my site - but here it is anyway:-

 "Dear Mrs. Bax,

Standing Children in School buses

Thankyou for your letter dated 29th June regarding your concern for school children forced to stand in school buses while travelling at speeds up to 100 kph on busy two lane interstate trucking routes where the buses are passing large heavily loaded trucks.

Prior to my retirement in 1989, I had served on the committee which formulated all the Australian Design Rules.  I served on this committee from the day it was formed.  I was chairman of the sub-committees dealing with trucks and buses as well as occupant protection as shown in the attached CV.

In 1973 I wrote a review on Truck & Bus Design in Relation to Road Safety for the Federal Department of Transport.

When considering standing passengers in buses (p. 100, item 4), I wrote that they represent a special hazard.  In collision they are thrown about the bus injuring other passengers as well as themselves.  For longitudinal collisions they are hurled down the aisle to the end of the bus and may even block exits.  In lateral collisions there are equally severe problems.  I have attached a copy of p. 100 from my report.

Under no circumstances should this be allowed and any official, public servant or bus operator who so forces children would, in my opinion, be totally liable for any damages which could be enormous.  No insurance company would insure for such potential danger if they were properly informed.

The bus you describe loaded with 103 children and 40 standees together with school bags, no seatbelts, low backed seats with no energy absorption in an impact with another vehicle of equal or greater mass would, in my opinion, give rise to an accident greater than the Grafton disaster.  In a roll over that might occur there is great potential for an equally disastrous event.  I would forecast a 40% to 50% death rate and over 90% injury rate for the remaining children.

In a roll over that might occur there is great potential for an equally disastrous event.  I would forecast a 40% to 50% death rate and over 90% injury rate for the remaining children.

I trust this will be of some help to you in your endeavours.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Peter Joubert.

 I'm very glad to hear you support seatbelts on school buses - and I look forward to getting a more detailed response when you've had a chance to peruse the information.

 

You SHOULD be able to access the original correspondence, plus the replies I've received to date (from State members) - and a link to the Final Report (2001), of "The Queensland School Transport Safety Task Force" at:-

 

www.geocities.com/seatbelts2004

 

Almost at the top of the front page, there's a picture of Queensland school children crammed into a school bus, click on that image (as the adjoining text says), and you'll be taken to the relevant page.  Also, just in case you have any more problems, here's the direct link:-

 

http://www.geocities.com/seatbelts2004/correspondence.htm

 

Hope this helps.

 

All the very best - Kim                               (TOP)

 

Just over 4 weeks later, on the 26th March 2004, Kim Bax has heard nothing more from Liz Cunningham MP - so she sends Liz a reminder:-                                  (TOP)