Fatal bus crashes in New South Wales have increased almost 40 percent in the past three years: government
March 14, 2013
Fatal bus crashes in New South Wales have increased almost 40 percent in the past three years,
new government figures show.
The Australian Government’s Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economies (BITRE) Fatal heavy vehicle crashes Australia quarterly bulletin shows fatal bus crashes in New South Wales
increased 38 percent in the past three years.
While total fatal bus crashes across Australia
rose 4.1 percent in the past three years,
fatalities in New South Wales accounted for more than half of the total bus-related
deaths across Australia in year ending June 2012 alone.
During the year, 23 people died across Australia as a result of bus crashes, with 13 of these deaths occurring in New South Wales – more bus-related deaths than in any other state.
Bus crashes led to five deaths in Victoria for the year, four deaths in Queensland and one death in South Australia.
No other state or territory recorded death from bus crashes during the year.
In New South Wales bus crashes caused the death of eight pedestrians, three drivers, one passenger and one cyclist, during the year.
In Victoria bus crashes resulted in the death of three pedestrians, one driver, and one motorcyclist.
In Queensland bus crashes led to the death of one driver, one pedestrian, one bus passenger, and one motorcyclist.
In South Australia a bus crash resulted in the death of one passenger.
However, there has been a slight overall decline in fatal bus crashes in the past ten years, according to the figures.
For the bureau, the key features for the bulletin were that during the 12 months to the end of June 2012, 225 people died from 200 fatal crashes involving heavy trucks or buses.
These included:
- 23 deaths from 23 crashes involving buses
- 124 deaths from 112 crashes involving articulated trucks
- 86 deaths from 73 crashes involving heavy rigid trucks.