Report on run-off-the road accident involving a bus on the E16 road by Steinssletta, Hole 26 June 2019

A bus on the way from Oslo to Hønefoss drove off the road at E16 by Steinssletta in Hole municipality. At the end of a long, straight part of the road, the bus drove slightly off the road at the right side.

The bus drove off road parallel to the roadway for a short while, before it moved further to the right on the grass covered field. The journey ended when the bus crashed into the concrete wall of a garage, and the front of the bus was crushed in the collision.

Even though the bus driver was trapped and had to be released by a rescue team, he was not seriously injured. . Three passengers were slightly injured in the accident, and there were material damage on the bus and the garage. Although there were no serious injuries in this accident, the NSIA consider the potential for serious injuries to be large.

The investigation has shown that the accident occured because the driver fell asleep. NSIA believes that early morning shifts, limited night's sleep, and possibly low blood sugar may have contributed to this. The NSIA understands that it is challenging to implement a shift plan that ensures optimal safety for all bus drivers, but believes it is important that bus companies recognize buss drivers falling asleep as a safety problem and work to implement measures in the form of training, routines and instructions to help counteract accidents as a result.

The investigation has also shown that driver support systems in the form of Driver Alert Control and Lane Departure Warning could have helped prevent the accident. International vehicle requirements exempt buses where passengers are allowed to stand from the requirements for Lane Departure Warning, a driver support system that is required in other types of buses.

NSIA makes no safety recommendations in connection with this investigation, due to the fact that it is difficult to introduce special Norwegian vehicle requirements for these buses. However, NSIA urges the authorities to draw attention to this safety issue when revising international regulations. NSIA also encourages orderers of public transport services to request such driver support systems in their assignments. This especially applies to buses where passengers are allowed to stand which will drive longer distances, where parts of it is driven at high speed. NSIA believes that driver support systems on these buses will improve traffic safety for road users in general and also be an HSE measure for bus drivers.

This report is in Norwegian only.

No safety recommendation is issued in connection with this investgation.

Published 02.10.2020