THE IMPORTANCE OF BUS PASSENGER TRANSPORT FOR ENHANCING ROAD SAFETY

Bus transport is one of the most common modes of road travel in Europe, according to the European Commission. However, data from recent years indicate that approximately 500 people are killed annually in Europe in road traffic accidents involving buses. Statistics from 2015 indicate approximately 30.000 injuries per year resulting from bus-related accidents in Europe. Certain trends, such as accidents involving passengers falling inside buses, have brought the issue of bus safety into greater focus. This paper provides an overview of the current state of safety in bus transport and potential measures for improving road safety for both drivers and passengers. The aim is to provide decision-makers and other relevant authorities and stakeholders with a basis for establishing effective and appropriate requirements for improving road safety. The paper seeks to identify approaches that could help ensure that as few people as possible are killed or seriously injured in road-based bus transport by improving overall road safety for drivers, passengers, and other road users interacting with buses.