Mos, November 18, 2024.- The subdelegate of the Government in Pontevedra, Abel Losada, today called attention to the commitment to safety and good practice of the companies that are responsible for school transport, stressing that “the safety of children who board a bus to go to school is an absolute priority”. Losada recalled that 61% of the buses that were inspected in the specific campaigns of the Civil Guard during this year had some kind of irregularity and, although they were mostly administrative issues, some specific breaches were also detected that he described as “worrying”. Thus, he made an “express appeal” to the companies so that “in the next campaigns there will be zero sanctions”. “I think it’s a perfectly enforceable commitment,” he said.
The subdelegate supervised this morning at the N-556 in Mos the beginning of the new special campaign of the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) on road safety in school transport, which will take place until the 22nd. He was accompanied by the provincial head of the DGT, Paula Yubero, and by the captain of the Civil Traffic Guard, Roberto Prado. During these days the agents will stop the buses to review the documentation and authorizations for the provision of the service, they will review the vehicle itself in terms of its technical conditions, as well as the security elements. The qualification and driving licence of drivers and driving and rest times will also be reviewed. In addition, the agents will verify the use of the safety belt, speed, alcohol and other drugs.
Galicia accounts for 5% of traffic accidents that occur in Spain, but, on the other hand, it accounts for 17% of accidents with school transport. The most common accidents in which school buses are involved are mainly caused by driving at an inadequate speed or by distractions.
In the province of Pontevedra there are 753,603 vehicles and of them 1,128 are buses.
No 2024 This is the third specific school transportation control campaign. The previous ones took place in January and May. In them, 178 buses were controlled and 11 sanctions were imposed, however, infractions were detected in 32 vehicles that had no unlimited civil liability policy, 20 that did not have special authorization for school transport, 7 did not carry the school transport signal, 5 did not carry an accompanying person on board, 3 that had the tachograph manipulated and 1 that had damaged the lighting device with emergency signal.
“The data show that these campaigns, in addition to the routine control that is done every day on the roads, are necessary,” said Abel Losada. In addition, the subdelegate of the Government thanked the commitment of the municipalities that are collaborating with their Local Police in this campaign, which are: Vigo, Pontevedra, Vilagarcía de Arousa, Marín, Sanxenxo, Mos and Salceda de Caselas.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SCHOOL BUSES:
School buses cannot be older than 16 years if they were always used for school transport (otherwise they are 10 years old). The windows can only open at most the upper third. The seats in the first row must have a protective screen. There must be places for people with disabilities and all vehicles manufactured since 2007 must have #safety belt, the use of which is obligatory.
They must have doors that open inside and out, protected mechanisms and two extinguishers, hammers and medicine cabinet. School trips must not exceed one hour and with tours and stops previously authorized. The civil liability policy must be unlimited, while the circulation speed is 10 km/h lower than the one indicated in all sections. There must be an adult companion if more than half of the students are under 12 years old and this one will specifically take care of the safety on the ups and downs to the bus.
There must be one place per child and everyone has to travel seated.