Report recommend safety review of bus stops

The expert group investigating the Wellington Quay bus crash in which five people died recommends that every bus stop in the …

The expert group investigating the Wellington Quay bus crash in which five people died recommends that every bus stop in the capital be checked for passenger safety, according a newspaper report his morning.

The Committee of Inquiry also says notices should be put in bus cabs instructing drivers to turn off their engines when leaving the vehicle unattended and Dublin should investigate the possibility of having accelerator and brake pedals modified to make them easily distinguishable.

Details of the report by a panel of international experts called in after five people were killed by an out-of-control bus on Dublin's Wellington Quay on February 21st are published by The Startoday.

The victims were killed when the out-of-service Airlink bus mounted the pavement and crashed into passengers queuing to board another bus.

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The report also recommends that Dublin Bus launch a safety awareness campaign though it commends the company's good safety record when compared to other firms in Europe.

It says details of its safety review of bus stops terminuses should be published in the interest of public confidence.

The Staralso reports that the Director of Public Prosecutions yesterday asked the newspaper not to publish details of the report.

The DPP was concerned that legal proceedings that may arise could be prejudiced by publication of elements of the report.

However the newspaper said the matter was of significant public interest and cited a High Court ruling in which Mr Justice Peter Kelly said a trial could not be prejudiced prior to charges being preferred.

The newspaper said it had "no hesitation" in publishing. "t is the their [the public's] right to know because their safety, their lives and the well-being of their loved ones are at stake."