Sydney, NSW, 17 February 2025: Busways is reminding the community in its service regions to behave safely on and around buses during the 10^th annual Transport for NSW Bus Safety Week starting today.

Whether you’re a pedestrian, cyclist, passenger, or driver, it’s crucial to Be Bus Aware and take steps to avoid preventable incidents. 

Buses have four main blind spots, which can pose risks to other road users. Motorists are reminded to keep a safe distance from buses, slow down to 40km/h when bus lights are flashing, as children may be crossing the road, avoid cutting in front of buses, and give way when they are merging into traffic.  Pedestrians are reminded to look up from their phones and look out for buses.

“Safety is everyone’s responsibility. In the past year, we’ve seen over 1,500 preventable incidents, including over 130 in Central Coast alone," said Sarah Langthorne, Customer Experience Manager

“One of the most common is motorists cutting in front of a bus, causing our driver to have to brake suddenly, putting passengers’ safety at risk.  Buses are big heavy vehicles that take time to slow, and we ask motorists to give way to buses and not cut in front,” Ms. Langthorne said.

“Another common safety issue is people on their phones, not checking properly for buses, or coming out suddenly in front of or behind a bus when other traffic cannot see them,” she said.

"Whether you’re driving, walking, or cycling, it’s important to stay alert and Be Bus Aware. By working together, we can reduce these numbers and ensure everyone gets home safely.

Transport for NSW reports that since 2019, there have been 45 fatalities from bus-related crashes across the state. These tragedies include 13 pedestrians, 6 drivers of vehicles other than a bus, 7 motorcyclists, 4 bus drivers, 11 bus passengers, 3 passengers of vehicles other than a bus, and 1 cyclist. These statistics highlight the need for campaigns like Bus Safety Week to keep safety top of mind. 

Bus Safety Week is a reminder that we all have a role to play. The 10th annual Bus Safety Week runs from Monday, 17 February to Sunday, 23 February 2025.  

To learn more, visit the Be Bus Aware website or follow NSW Road Safety on Facebook. Together, we can make a difference.  

Stay safe, stay alert, and remember to Be Bus Aware.