Expert points to safety failures as a determining factor in the accident and calls for stricter enforcement
Traffic and Road Safety expert Dr Júlio Quental stated, on Tuesday, 4 August, during the programme Ecos e Factos, that the consequences of the accident could be linked to failures in the provision of the transport service and to non-compliance with basic safety measures.
During the interview, Quental argued that public transport companies must ensure that passengers receive, before the start of each journey, clear information on emergency procedures, including the location and operation of emergency exits.
According to the expert, buses should also be equipped with devices allowing passengers to break windows in emergency situations. Among the equipment mentioned were emergency hammers, which should be kept installed in easily accessible locations near the seats.
For Júlio Quental, passenger safety should not depend solely on occupants' ability to react spontaneously to a dangerous situation. It is equally the responsibility of transport companies to adopt preventive measures and of regulatory bodies to carry out ongoing enforcement of safety standards.
Analysing the circumstances of the accident, the expert also raised questions about the time at which the tricycle involved was allegedly refuelling. In his assessment, this could point to possible enforcement failures during that period.
Quental further stated that some passengers reportedly struggled to leave the bus after the collision, due to blocked doors and a lack of guidance on evacuation procedures. Under these circumstances, the windows and the roof would have been among the few available escape routes.
The expert concluded by calling for stronger safety measures from transport companies and stricter enforcement by the relevant authorities.
The main recommendation put forward is that all passengers should be informed, before the start of a journey, of the procedures required to leave the bus in the event of fire, collision or any other emergency.
According to the Ecos e Factos Programme
Independent Analysis (Commentary)
Júlio Quental's statements raise a question that goes beyond the specific circumstances of this accident: road safety should not be assessed only at the moment of collision, but across every stage before and after an incident.
An accident can occur for various reasons, including human error, mechanical failure, poor road conditions, third-party behaviour or non-compliance with traffic rules. However, the severity of the consequences can be worsened when vehicles lack adequate emergency equipment or when passengers do not know how to use it.
In this respect, the presence of emergency exits, window-breaking hammers, functioning doors and accessible evacuation systems can make a significant difference in the first few minutes of an emergency. However, having this equipment is not enough: it must also be kept in working order, and passengers must know where to find it.
Another relevant point is the responsibility of transport companies. Passenger safety should be built into the entire service provided, from vehicle maintenance and driver training through to preparedness for emergency situations.
Enforcement also plays a fundamental role. Effective enforcement should not occur only after serious accidents. It should be preventive and regular, checking vehicle conditions, compliance with traffic rules, documentation, safety equipment and the conditions under which passenger transport is carried out.
The question raised by the expert regarding the tricycle's refuelling also warrants investigation. However, any conclusion about a possible enforcement failure or the responsibility of a particular entity must be based on evidence and the findings of official investigations, avoiding turning a hypothesis into a confirmed fact.
Similarly, claims about blocked doors, lack of guidance for passengers and the impossibility of evacuation should be checked against accounts from victims and witnesses, available footage, the characteristics of the bus and the conclusions reached by the authorities responsible for the investigation.
The most important issue this accident raises is the need to make road safety a permanent responsibility. It is not enough to identify those at fault after a tragedy. It is necessary to understand which safety barriers failed and what can be done to prevent similar situations from happening again.
For passengers, one of the key lessons is to have at least a basic understanding of emergency procedures before travelling. For companies, the priority must be to ensure safe vehicles, functioning equipment and properly trained staff. For the authorities, the challenge lies in ensuring continuous, independent and effective enforcement.
Ultimately, road safety does not end once the bus sets off. It begins before departure and must remain active until the final destination.