Do I need to wear a seatbelt on a bus?
Many buses don’t have seatbelts, so you obviously can’t wear one in those cases. But what if they are installed on public transport (say in a mini bus or a coach)… is it up to the passenger whether or not they use it?
No. If a seatbelt is available, the law says you must buckle up. Not using a seatbelt, properly adjusted and fastened, when there’s one installed could cost you a $355 fine, $60 Victims of Crime Levy and three demerit points. Any passenger aged 16 or older can be fined, and it’s you, not the bus driver, who’s responsible for making sure you’re wearing one.
What if some seats in a bus have belts fitted, but others don’t? In those cases, you’ll just need to fill all the seats with belts first and once all of those spots are taken, you can sit in a beltless seat. In 2017, 37 per cent of people killed in crashes weren’t wearing a seatbelt; proof that the consequences can be deadly. Note that if you hold a certificate from a medical practitioner, and you can immediately show it to police, you could be exempt from this rule.
