Bus safety checks reveal defects

A senior police officer has expressed his disappointment after a series of checks on school buses revealed faults.
Sergeant Jon Hodgson said minor errors picked up during safety checks by members of Northamptonshire Casualty Reduction Partnership should have been spotted by drivers before the vehicles were used.
In all a total of 27 buses were checked last week to ensure the safety of schoolchildren in Bugbrooke - resulting in six cautions for minor defects.
Officers and staff from Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire County Council, and the Vehicle & Operator Standards Agency (VOSA) carried out safety checks on buses used to transport children to Wollaston School and Campion School in Bugbrooke.
The vehicles were checked along with driving documents.
Fourteen vehicle checks were made at Wollaston School, which resulted in one caution for a cracked windscreen and two cautions for damaged seat backs.
Thirteen checks took place at Campion School, where officers issued two cautions for empty windscreen washers and one caution for a defective headlight.

Sgt Hodgson said: “The checks are part of our ongoing efforts to improve standards and vehicle maintenance, to ensure the safety of school children across the county.

"While it is reassuring that no major defects were found, it is disappointing that drivers and companies with the responsibility for transporting children do not spend more time checking their vehicles before use.

"All of these matters would have been identified with a check before setting off. Further school transport checks will be made throughout the year."