What happened:
An airport shuttle bus, on its way from a satellite parking, stopped very sharply at the airport terminal building. In the absence of seatbelts, most seated passengers grabbed something to hold on to. A woman and her child weren¿t that fast and were thrown along the aisle of the shuttle. They were lucky and got away with slight injuries (scratches, bruises and some damaged clothing).

Key Lessons:

• All too often we are happy with any bus, shuttle or taxi when we are waiting at the station.
• Using seatbelts is mandatory in increasing number of states and countries, also in public transport, also in rear seats.
• The protection provided by seatbelts is undisputed. They save lives on highways, in town, on short trips as well as long trips, in family cars, SUV¿s, pickups, shuttles, taxi¿s and buses.

Recommendations:

• When boarding a taxi, check the seatbelts. If not present, switch to another cab.
• Always use the seatbelts, in front as well as when you are in the rear seat.
• Prior to hiring a bus, e.g. for business trip, excursion, off site event, make sure that seatbelts are installed at all seats.
• Pre-select taxi and bus companies that offer vehicles fulfilling our specifications, including seatbelts in all seats.