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To celebrate National Road Safety Day on 27 April 2007, the Community Transport Association (CTA) is hosting a series of training sessions for drivers and passenger assistants of community minibuses.
Effective training of drivers and passenger assistants limits the danger for passengers.
Training drivers and passenger assistants is a priority for the Community Transport Association. To celebrate National Road Safety Day on 27 April 2007 a course on Minibus Emergency Evacuation Procedures is being presented in Lisburn.
This course trains drivers on the safest course of action to take in the case of a fire, accident or emergency involving a minibus. Using a smoke machine the course simulates the atmosphere on board smoke filled vehicle or where the engine has gone on fire.
Community Transport prides itself on providing safe transport for passengers. Through training CTA ensures that drivers and passenger assistants know what to expect, how to act and how to limit danger for passengers.
As Kellie Armstrong of CTA explains:
"Minibus Emergency Evacuation Procedures is a necessary course for any driver who transports older people, children and in particular people with disabilities including those people who use wheelchairs.
People who use wheelchairs are particularly vulnerable in the event of a fire or accident. The wheelchair is attached to the floor of the vehicle while in transit. It can take time to release the restraints connecting the wheelchair to the floor. If a vehicle is filling with smoke the person will be extremely frightened and unable to exit quickly. This course teaches drivers how to ensure safe alighting for all passengers and in particular passengers with limited mobility.
The course gives practical advice and guidance to help drivers calmly handle a very stressful situation. A driver who has completed training will be armed with the right actions to take to limit injury and danger”.
Minibus crashes are rare. CTA is delighted that through driver training the number of incidents involving Community Minibuses is very low. More often incidents are minor where only the vehicle is bumped. Community Transport have been so successful in training drivers that vehicle insurance premiums have fallen steadily over the past number of years “risk is lowered because of driver training” says Nick Lewis of HSBC insurance.
Other Road Safety training provided by CTA include:
If you drive for a school, youth group, church or community group and would like to attend training provided by CTA please contact Kellie Armstrong on 028 9040 3535 for details
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