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In all Austrian schools, masks must be worn outside the classroom. They can then be removed in class, in addition to class, for example, in physics or gym, and on the schoolyard.
Wear a mask from the age of six, keep your distance
A bus that is used to transport schoolchildren in regular or occasional transport, like a coach, is a means of mass transport. The one meter distance rule only applies if the number of students transported allows it. “If it is not possible to maintain the necessary distance due to the number of passengers and when getting on and off, the ordinance may exceptionally deviate from this. But then it is very important to wear protection for the mouth and nose,” says ÖAMTC expert Eva Unger of course. The mask requirement applies to all passengers and the driver. Children from the age of six must wear mouth and nose protection throughout the trip. “In the current situation in particular, it would be desirable to increase the use of school buses on known crowded routes in order to maintain the distance,” appeals the lawyer to the transport company.
Stronger regulations than regular services
“Parents and school children should be aware that for occasional transportation, including school buses, rented buses for school trips or coaches, stricter rules apply than for regular ‘normal’ transportation,” explains attorney Unger.
“The 1: 1 rule applies on the school bus: each child must have his own seat and use it, it is forbidden to stand while driving.” Children cannot share a seat either. Also, the school bus driver can only transport as many children as there are seats.
Children must wear a seat belt on the school bus.
It is mandatory to wear seat belts on the school bus and coach. “The responsibility of properly insuring children under 14 years of age rests with the driver,” explains the mobility club expert. “However, if the child is accompanied by an adult, responsibility is transferred to the person accompanying him. Children over 14 years of age must independently ensure that the seat belt is worn.”
Sharing seats on the bus is allowed
The situation is different on public buses: here, three children (under 14 years old) can share two seats if there is no other free seat. There is no obligation on the bus, and in case of overcrowding, there is also no possibility of using the existing security systems. Children can stand here while driving, but must use the available handles. “For road safety reasons, the use of the seat and, if available, the seat belt is urgently recommended in ‘normal public transport’,” says Unger.
What Parents Should Practice With Children
“Parents should practice driving the school bus with their children,” advises Unger. This includes, among other things, that there is sufficient distance to the curb when waiting for the bus, that no cables get stuck in the door when boarding, and that when leaving the bus stop you have to wait until the bus has left. new. Children should also be made to understand that pushing in and out is dangerous. Since donning and using the mask can be distracting, how to use it should be explained in advance. It is better to put on the mask in peace in the area of the bus stop. Children should not try to “casually” hold them while walking, as this increases the risk of tripping or overlooking other road users.
Passing in front of school buses is prohibited, allowed on public buses
A school bus can be recognized by the school transportation boards that must be posted in the front and rear. “If you are driving behind a school bus with the proper school transportation tag and the driver turns on the hazard warning lights and additional yellow warning lights to stop, passing in front of the bus is prohibited,” warns Unger. “On the other hand, passing in front of public buses is allowed; however, full concentration on people in the bus stop area is required and speed should be reduced.”
(Source: SALZBURG24)
