Toyota's Initiative to Secure School Bus Safety and Protect Young Lives
In a bid to enhance vehicle safety, particularly for school buses, Toyota has implemented a series of measures aimed at preventing the recurrence of tragic incidents that have claimed young lives in Japan.
The Japanese automaker responded to the 2021 and 2022 school bus incidents, where children lost their lives after being accidentally locked inside buses, by focusing on specific safety measures. These measures are designed to prevent such tragedies and include confirming seat belt use for all children before the bus starts moving, operating flashing lights and pause signs when children get on and off, and ensuring drivers check that children reach a safe place after disembarking.
The safety regulations for school buses in Japan require vehicles carrying 11 or more passengers to be painted yellow, with child protection signs. They must also be equipped with seat belts designed to fit children, and the operation of yellow flashing lights during stops and while driving with children on board is mandatory. Red flashing lights must be used while children are boarding or alighting, and drivers must operate pause signs during these times and confirm seat belt use before starting the bus. The safety measures also address what would happen if a driver loses consciousness.
Toyota's safety upgrades and training emphasize preventing children from being left inside the vehicle and enhancing driver awareness and vehicle signaling to protect children during boarding and alighting. This approach reflects the application of Toyota's continuous improvement philosophy (kaizen) aligned with the Toyota Production System to improve safety on school buses.
The collaboration to transform Japan's commercial vehicles, which includes Toyota, aims to change the future of commercial vehicles in the country. The group developed safety measures for school buses from the perspectives of children and drivers, and this appeal was answered by 70 Toyota colleagues from various backgrounds and roles.
The temperature on board school buses in summer can exceed 40 degrees, potentially causing discomfort and danger to children. To address this issue, Toyota has systems in place to prevent pedal error accidents and ensure a comfortable environment for passengers.
Moreover, Toyota's life-saving features are not limited to school buses but are also present in passenger cars. The company continues to strive for the safety of all road users, be it drivers or pedestrians.
Recently, there was a press conference for the aforementioned collaboration, marking a significant step towards ensuring the safety of children traveling on school buses in Japan. The ultimate goal is to ensure that such tragedies are not repeated in the future, and Toyota's safety measures extend to school bus drivers and personnel. An appeal was made by a Toyota employee in 2022 to eliminate school bus incidents by the summer of 2023, and Toyota is committed to making this vision a reality.
[World Toyota News] is reporting on this transformation, marking a significant milestone in Toyota's commitment to safety and the well-being of its passengers. The collaboration aims to set new standards for safety in commercial vehicles, ensuring a brighter and safer future for all.
- Toyota's focus on safety extends beyond school buses, as they continue to strive for the well-being of all road users, not just passengers, implementing life-saving features in their passenger cars as well.
- In collaboration with various parties, Toyota is making strides in the health-and-wellness sector of commercial vehicles, particularly for school buses, working towards setting new standards in safety to ensure a brighter and safer future for children.
