Bus crash raises question of seatbelts
STM bus drivers don’t often wear seat belts because they want to be able to get out of their seats fast in case of attack or emergency. The question’s being raised because of this week’s bus crash – the driver was flung out of the bus, which then crushed him. But drivers aren’t reckless, and clearly have their reasons.
Bill Binns 10:03 on 2012/08/17 Permalink
That actually sounds like a pretty good reason to me. There must be a way to design the bus so that the driver is in his own little isolated compartment like on the Metro.
I once had a summer job working for UPS which involved driving their brown trucks around a huge compound. They told us that if we were involved in an accident while not wearing our seatbelts that our union health / life insurance would be invalidated. I wonder if the bus driver’s family will have any such problems if it turns out he was not wearing his belt.
Dave M 10:04 on 2012/08/17 Permalink
In London the bus drivers are in their own little isolated compartment, so it’s clearly possible.
Dhomas 10:13 on 2012/08/17 Permalink
Taxi drivers in Montreal are actually exempt from seatbelt laws, I assume due to the risk of attack. I suppose it would be quite easy to strangle a taxi driver with his own seatbelt in order to get to his earnings for that day. They do have to wear seatbelts on the highway, though (and other “provincial jurisdiction” roads). I wonder if this applies to bus drivers as well.
http://www.spvm.qc.ca/en/securite-routiere/prevention-ceinture-securite.asp
Jay 20:38 on 2012/08/17 Permalink
Bus drivers on certain routes in Toronto are also in their own isolated compartment.
Kate 09:53 on 2012/08/18 Permalink
I’d bet that drivers who work in isolation get more depressed. Exposure to the passengers involves risk, but it also involves human contact.
Ian 11:41 on 2012/08/18 Permalink
I like the drivers that sing. There’s one driver on the 435 (formerly 535) that sings carols all through the Christmas season in a surprisingly rich baritone. Sometimes passengers join in, it’s actually pretty heartwarming.
JaneyB 19:51 on 2012/08/19 Permalink
There’s a driver on the Cote-Ste-Catherine route who sings. Maybe it’s the same guy. (How many do we have?!). He also decorates his bus and has a bowl of candies by the farebox. I have heard passengers do Jacques Brel sing-a-longs with him. By god, sometimes this city is so fantastic!