The European Commission set in place its three-year implementation plan for seat belts in March 2003, but missed out compulsory belts for school buses. However, it has now proposed extending the law to include buses as part of the European Commission's Road Safety Action Plan Bus Directive, which is intended to cut road deaths by half by 2010.
This means many youth groups buying vehicles will have to ensure they are fitted with seat belts by July 2004. Old minibuses without belts installed will be exempt.
Sam Littlechilds, policy officer at youth hostels body YHA, said: "All our vehicles currently comply with EU regulations and we welcome this push to make children and young people safer when they're out on trips."
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