The Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Senator the Hon Anthony Chisholmhas made a new national vehicle standard for occupant protection in buses. AustralianDesign Rule (ADR) 68/01-0ccupant Protection in Buses mandates a number of safety measures for certain omnibuses, including requirements for seatbelts, the strength of seats, seat anchorages, seatbelt anchorages, child restraint anchorages, and provisions for protecting occupants from impact with seat backs, accessories on seats and armrests.
Occupant Protection Requirements (MD,ME)
This previous standard ADR 68/00 has been in effect since 2006 on vehicles of MD and ME buses,the new ADR 68/01 will continue to apply to category MD and ME vehicles.
What are the new requirements in ADR 68/01 ?
Compared to the previous ADR 68/00, The new standard (ADR 68/01) specifies requirements for occupant seatbelt awareness. lt requires the addition of signage for all seating positions, other than the driver, as well as audible and visual alerts to encourage occupant seatbelt use on coaches and buses.
Visual and Audible Warning Requirements for Occupant Seatbelt Awareness
- Each seating position must be provided with a durable visual warning to encourage occupant seatbelt use
- The vehicle must be equipped with an audible warning message to encourage occupant seatbelt use
The changes were identified as an Australian Government priority in response to recent bus crash events. Adding visual and audible requirements to increase passenger seatbelt awareness on all buses and coaches, with the exception of route service buses will increase the use of seatbelts, resulting in better road safety outcomes through fewer deaths and injuries.
When will this ADR 68/01 come into force ?
The new standard ADR 68/01- 0ccupant Protection in Buses will apply from 1 November 2026 for all new model vehicles and from 1 November 2027 for all vehicles.
