Many bus passengers in Norway skip wearing seatbelts, creating serious safety risks. Experts warn that unbelted passengers can become projectiles during accidents, potentially killing others.
Mateosz Imama rarely uses seatbelts on buses. He secured an empty seat on the bus from Stavanger to Moi early. When asked about car seatbelts, he responded differently. "Yes, I always wear them in cars," he said.
Seatbelt usage differs dramatically between cars and buses. 2022 data shows 98% of people wear seatbelts in cars. Only 70% consistently use them on buses.
"I've actually never seen anyone use seatbelts on buses," Imama admitted. He didn't know passengers could receive fines for not buckling up. "Now I'll start using seatbelts," he decided after learning the rules.
Christoffer Solstad Steen from Trygg Trafikk explained why seatbelts matter. "Many people don't use them because it's not the same habit as in cars. Seatbelts have saved countless lives. There are no good reasons not to wear them."
What happens during crashes without seatbelts? Unbelted passengers become much heavier than their actual weight. They can hit seats and other passengers with tremendous force.
Serious injury risk drops by about 80% when using three-point seatbelts, according to Norwegian road authority data.
Steen issued a stark warning. "You pose a risk to yourself and others. You can fly forward and contribute to the death of the person in front of you."
Current enforcement faces challenges. During bus inspections, passengers hear inspectors coming and quickly buckle up. Buses must remain stationary during checks, giving people time to secure belts before inspectors reach their seats.
The fine for not wearing seatbelts on buses stands at 1,500 kroner ($140). Guro Ranes from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration suggested this penalty seems low compared to other traffic violations.
"1,500 kroner matches driving five kilometers per hour over the speed limit. Using a phone while driving costs 10,450 kroner plus three penalty points," Ranes noted.
Several serious bus accidents highlight the dangers. In the December 2013 Rommen bus crash in Oslo, no passengers wore seatbelts. Several were thrown from the bus during the accident. Investigators concluded the death toll would likely have been lower with proper seatbelt use.
Other major bus accidents at Fokstua (2006), Verdal (2007), and Trones (2014) showed similar patterns where seatbelts could have saved lives.
Some passengers already follow the rules consistently. Markus Massen and Marius Lyse always wear seatbelts on their Bergen to Stavanger bus trips. "It's not difficult to put them on," they said. They hadn't considered how unbelted neighbors could cause them serious harm.
The Norwegian Ministry of Transport isn't considering higher fines currently. Officials believe other measures might prove more effective than penalty increases alone.
Technology could offer solutions. Weight-based seatbelt warnings used in cars might work on buses, though drivers might find constant reminders tiresome.
This situation reveals a curious double standard in passenger behavior. People protect themselves in cars but take unnecessary risks on buses, endangering everyone around them.