BUSK launches school transport safety video

BUSK launched a new school transport safety video on 20 September - the first day of School Transport Safety Week.  Produced in memory of 12-year-old Stuart Cunningham-Jones, the video targets 12-16 year old pupils to get across the dangers of distracting school bus drivers.  

Stuart died in December 2002 when the double decker bus he was travelling on veered off the road and hit a tree. An inquest into his death found that unruly behaviour contributed - by causing the driver to lose control of the bus.

BUSK's corporate director, Pat Harris said; "Some young people are either unaware of the danger they place others in, or just don't care. It is unacceptable to allow this situation to continue. I believe we must create an atmosphere in which pupils have the confidence to speak out if they are worried on the school bus journey. We must also educate all pupils about the risks, and how those risks can be reduced.  BUSK has produced this video to do just that."

According to BUSK, bullying on school buses is common. It claims that pupils have been punched and kicked through bus doors to their deaths, and that the misuse of emergency exits occurs on the school run right across the UK

The video project, which was launched at the National Assembly for Wales in Cardiff, has been funded by the Principality Building Society. BUSK aims to promote its use in schools nationwide.  

Principality's chief executive, Peter Griffiths, explained the Society's support for the project as follows: "As a mutual organisation we are concerned about things that affect people in their local communities. Funding this video is a practical step we could take with a positive outcome - bringing about some serious change to safety on school buses."

The video will be available in English and Welsh (narrated by Welsh newsreader Lucy Cohen and BBC Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens) and will be available week commencing 4 October. The video has been produced in three parts so that class discussion can take place after each section. A booklet accompanies the video to help schools with the delivery of the safety message to pupils.

For further information contact Pat Harris on 01633 274944 or 07751 816367, or Buskuk@aol.com