MPs throw weight behind minibus safety campaign

The campaign to scrap exemptions that allow schools and colleges to run minibuses without an Operator’s Licence is being taken to Westminster today.

MPs are backing an Early Day Motion, tabled by Labour MP Sarah Edwards, calling on Government to ensure that all schools with minibuses are required to have a full public service vehicle operator’s licence.

It comes as NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union releases survey data from members which found that:

Around 10% of teachers responding to the survey said they had driven a minibus in the last year
16% of those who said they’d driven in the last year have had no training to do so.
40% drive at least once a month, with 16% driving once a week.
Nearly a quarter of those responding to the survey report being pressurised to drive at least ‘sometimes’, with 5% saying they are often pressurised.
More than one in ten (12%) said they drive more than 50 miles after a full day of teaching at least sometimes.
Over a quarter (26%) said they drive the minibus feeling tired at least sometimes, 5% said they drove tired often or always.
On November 18th 1993 a minibus from Hagley Roman Catholic High School crashed on the M40 near Warwick, killing 12 pupils and their teacher. Only two pupils survived.