PCV Passenger Safety & Duty of Care 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are the legal requirements for seatbelt use on coaches?
- All passengers in seats fitted with seatbelts must wear them — drivers must inform passengers and children under 14 must be belted (Correct answer)
- Seatbelts are optional on coaches
- Only passengers in front seats must wear seatbelts
- Seatbelts are only required on motorways
Correct answer: All passengers in seats fitted with seatbelts must wear them — drivers must inform passengers and children under 14 must be belted
On coaches (long-distance and private hire), all passengers must wear seatbelts where fitted. The driver is responsible for informing passengers and for ensuring children under 14 are wearing seatbelts. On local service buses, seatbelt requirements vary.
Question 2: What is the driver's duty of care regarding luggage in the overhead lockers of a coach?
- Advise passengers to stow luggage securely and to take care when opening lockers — heavy items can fall and cause injury (Correct answer)
- The airline rule — passengers are solely responsible for their luggage
- Refuse to allow any luggage in overhead lockers
- Check each locker personally before departure
Correct answer: Advise passengers to stow luggage securely and to take care when opening lockers — heavy items can fall and cause injury
PCV drivers should advise passengers to stow luggage carefully in overhead lockers, particularly heavy items, and to take care when opening them as items may have shifted during transit. Injury from falling luggage is a safety risk.
Question 3: How should a PCV driver manage the risk of passengers falling when the bus is moving?
- Drive smoothly, avoid harsh acceleration, braking, and cornering, and allow sufficient time for passengers to be seated before pulling away (Correct answer)
- Instruct passengers to sit immediately — standing is not permitted
- Only slow down when elderly passengers are present
- Passengers accept the risk of standing — no specific driver duty applies
Correct answer: Drive smoothly, avoid harsh acceleration, braking, and cornering, and allow sufficient time for passengers to be seated before pulling away
The driver directly controls the risk to standing passengers through their driving style. Smooth acceleration, braking, and cornering reduce the risk of falls. Allowing time for passengers to be seated before moving away is also part of this duty.
Question 4: What should a driver do if they suspect a passenger has left a bag unattended on the bus?
- Follow operator and security procedures — treat it as a potential security threat, alert the control room, and do not touch or move the item (Correct answer)
- Carry the bag to the lost property office
- Ask other passengers if the bag belongs to them
- Ignore it unless the bag makes a noise
Correct answer: Follow operator and security procedures — treat it as a potential security threat, alert the control room, and do not touch or move the item
Unattended bags on public transport are treated as potential security threats. PCV drivers should follow their operator's security procedures, which typically involve alerting the control room and not touching or moving the item. Public transport security procedures are in place for this reason.
Question 5: What is the procedure for managing an emergency evacuation of a bus or coach?
- Activate emergency exits, direct passengers to exits calmly, account for all passengers, and assist those who need help to exit safely (Correct answer)
- Only evacuate if the driver receives a direct instruction from emergency services
- Lock the doors to prevent panic exits
- Wait for emergency services to conduct the evacuation
Correct answer: Activate emergency exits, direct passengers to exits calmly, account for all passengers, and assist those who need help to exit safely
In an emergency evacuation, the driver must activate emergency exits (roof hatches, rear emergency doors), direct passengers to use exits calmly to avoid panic, help disabled or vulnerable passengers, and count passengers to ensure all are accounted for.
Question 6: What should a PCV driver do if a passenger refuses to wear a seatbelt on a coach?
- Inform the passenger that they are required to wear a seatbelt by law — they are personally responsible if they refuse, but the driver has informed them (Correct answer)
- Refuse to move the coach until all seatbelts are worn
- Accept the refusal and continue without further action
- Ask other passengers to persuade them
Correct answer: Inform the passenger that they are required to wear a seatbelt by law — they are personally responsible if they refuse, but the driver has informed them
The driver's legal duty is to inform passengers about the seatbelt requirement. If an adult refuses, the responsibility falls on that individual. For children under 14, the driver bears more responsibility. The driver should note the refusal and not hold up the service.
PCV Passenger Safety & Duty of Care 3
What are the legal requirements for seatbelt use on coaches?