09 Feb 2014

Passengers travelling by buses have been urged to familiarise themselves with the Department of Road Transport and Safety (DRTS) passenger laws.

Responding to a BOPA questionnaire, DRTS public relations officer (PRO), Ms Mmapula Sampson said this would help them to defend themselves against anything that might put their lives at risk while travelling. She said the traffic laws allowed passengers to stand in buses, but such buses should have a hand rail for passengers to hold on to.

Ms Sampson noted that passengers in most times had found themselves in situations that hurt them one way or another because they did not understand the passenger laws and they ended up compromising their safety.

She noted that standing compromised the passengers’ safety and it was for that reason that DRTS was looking into reviewing its regulations to improve the situation.

Ms Sampson highlighted that according to Regulation 118 Section C of the Road Traffic Act, one third of the bus sitting capacity was the actual number of permissible standing passengers.

She said buses, which carry passengers standing whilst there is no rail, place the passengers lives at risk because once there is an accident, rescuing those injured becomes a challenge.

Furthermore, the PRO said one of the risks that passengers are faced with is that they may sustain more serious injuries due to the fact that they are standing.

Regarding those who stand on buses holding babies, Ms Sampson said there is no law prohibiting it, however it is upon the passenger to think of their safety and that of their children.

She said there is no procedure as to who should disembark the bus first between those standing and seated once there is an accident.

Ms Sampson said the reason why there is no procedure is that during an accident, there is always a likelihood of panic and chaos as everyone tries to disembark the bus for their safety.

Also, Ms Sampson said some of the challenges DRTS faces in relation to standing passengers on buses is overloading beyond the bus carrying capacity, especially during peak seasons such as holidays. 

She explained that as a preventative measure to curb overloading of passengers on buses, DRTS invites applicants every holiday to apply for temporary permits for various long distance routes to carry passengers safely to their destinations. ENDS