Take a back seat for senior bus passengers

27 December 2017

New research into passenger injuries shows that older people are more likely to get hurt on public transport.

Earlier this year, Transport Safety Victoria (TSV) engaged Monash University’s Accident Research Centre to undertake an analysis of transport-related injuries.

The Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit looked at the nature, incidence and mechanism of certain transport-related injuries to patients presenting to Victorian hospitals.

Some key points from the analysis of hospital data on bus-related injuries are:

• 68.3% of people admitted to hospital were female.
• 64.4% of those admitted to hospital were aged over 60 years.
• Injury rates increased at a rate of around 2.8% each year of the study.

The hospitalisation study improves TSV’s understanding of the health impacts, financial and other consequences of transport-related incidents.

In light of the study’s findings, TSV is urging public transport passengers to leave priority seats available for those in need.

Slips, trips and falls often occur when people have just boarded or are preparing to alight; which is why priority passengers need a seat near the door so they can have more time to steady themselves.

Regardless of where you're sitting, if you see someone who needs a seat more than you, do the right thing.

TSV is also reminding older passengers to make use of handrails and remain seated while the bus is moving.

TSV is committed to continue to work with transport operators and passengers to ensure that travel is as safe as it can be.

Read the hospitalisation data report