Where is the safest place to travel on public transport - risk analysis and expert recommendations

Choosing a seat on a bus, trolleybus or tram is rarely perceived as a safety issue. Most passengers focus on convenience: proximity to the exit, absence of drafts, or the ability to sit next to a fellow traveler. However, accident statistics and the laws of physics prove that location in the cabin directly affects the risk of injury in case of an accident or emergency braking. Passive vehicle safety experts say choosing the right location can reduce the likelihood of serious injuries at 30–40%.

In this article we will look at:

• 📊 Injury statistics depending on the area of the cabin (data from the Research Institute of Transport and insurance companies).
• 🚍 The physics of impacts in frontal, side and rear collisions - why some places “dampen” inertia, while others increase it.
• 🛋️ Specific places in buses of different types (city, intercity, articulated), which experts consider the most secure.
• ⚠️ Passenger mistakes, which increase the risk of injury even in “safe” areas.

Information based on research Russian Union of Auto Insurers (RUA), reports European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) and bus crash tests according to the standard ECE R66. All recommendations are adapted to the realities of Russian roads and transport models used in 2023–2026.

1. Road accident statistics: where passengers are injured most often

Analysis 5,000 accidents involving public transport (RSA data for 2020–2023) revealed a pattern: 68% of serious injuries occur in the first three rows of the cabin and at the rear door. However, only 12% of incidents occur in the central zone between the wheel axles. Why is this so?

Salon area	Proportion of injuries (%)	Typical damage	Main reason
First 3 rows (behind the driver's cab)	32%	Traumatic brain injuries, rib fractures	Impact on the bulkhead or windshield during a frontal collision
Rear door area	24%	Limb fractures, dislocations	Side impacts or “dive” during emergency braking
Central zone (between axes)	12%	Bruises, minor sprains	Less inertial loads
Standing passengers	40%	Fractures, concussions	Lack of body fixation

It is especially dangerous to be on seats located transverse to the direction of travel (typical for minivans and some intercity buses). In the event of a side impact, passengers in such places are injured in 5 times more oftenthan those who sit facing forward. Crash tests confirm this Volvo Buses and Mercedes-Benz Citaro, where mannequins on transverse seats showed critical loads on the spine.

⚠️ Attention: If you are traveling to articulated bus (type MAZ-203 or LiAZ-6213), avoid articulated seats - folding the bus around corners increases the risk of falling 3 times.

2. The physics of impacts: why some places are safer than others

During an accident, passengers are affected by three key factors:

1. Inertia — the body continues to move by inertia even after the vehicle stops.
2. Body deformation — some zones “crumple” more, absorbing the impact energy.
3. Secondary collisions - impact with seats, handrails or other passengers.

Let's consider three types of accidents and their impact on passengers in different areas of the cabin:

🔴 Frontal collision (the most common type of accident - 45% of cases)

In case of a frontal impact the front part of the bus is deformed by 1–1.5 meters (crash test data Scania). Passengers in the front rows are hit by a partition or windshield. Those who sit in central zone, move forward by inertia, but they are stopped by the back of the front seat - this reduces the load on the neck and chest.

🟡 Side impact (30% of accidents)

Here it is critical frame rigidity. In modern buses (for example, Neoplan Cityliner) the side pillars are reinforced, but the door area remains vulnerable. Passengers near the window are injured from deforming panels, and those standing next to the door are injured from the door moving inside the cabin.

🟢 Rear collision (15% of accidents)

The least dangerous type, but those who sit are at risk here rear facing (for example, in the back rows). In a rear impact, the body is pushed into the seatback, which can cause spinal injuries. In the central zone, the load is distributed more evenly.

3. TOP 5 safest seats in the cabin (according to experts)

Based on the analysis of accidents and crash tests, experts identify the following areas of minimal risk:

• 🚀 Middle of the cabin, second row after the center door — here there is a minimum inertial load during frontal and rear impacts. On buses LiAZ-5292 and PAZ-3204 these are places with numbers 10–12.
• 🛡️ Emergency exit seats (if available) - as a rule, this is an area with a reinforced frame. B Volvo 8900 and Mercedes-Benz Intouro energy-absorbing backrests are installed here.
• 🪑 Seats at the rear axle, but not at the door - on intercity buses (for example, Setra S 417) this area is equipped with seat belts, which adds +20% protection.
• 🚪 First row after the central door, near the aisle — there is less risk of being pressed against the window during a side impact.
• 👶 Area for passengers with children (if it is highlighted) - usually located in the most protected part of the cabin (in MAZ-206 these are the places 14–16).

The safest place to sit in trams and trolleybuses is in the middle of the car, on the seats located along the side. This reduces the risk of injury from “telescoping,” a type of accident common in rail vehicles.

4. Passenger mistakes that undermine the safety of the place

Even the most protected place in the cabin will become dangerous if you violate the basic rules. Here 5 most common mistakesthat lead to injury:

• 📱 Using your phone without a mount — when hit, the phone turns into a projectile. According to Research Institute of Traumatology, 18% of finger fractures in road accidents are associated with an attempt to hold a gadget.
• 👜 Bags on laps or overhead shelves — during emergency braking, a bag weighing 2 kg develops an impact force of 20–30 kg (law of conservation of momentum). On buses Bogdan A201 The shelves are not designed for such loads.
• 👟 Feet on seat or footrest - in a frontal impact, the knees hit the front seat, which leads to fractures of the patella. B Scania OmniLink There are even warning stickers for this.
• 🚫 Ignoring seat belts - on intercity buses (for example, Neoplan Tourliner) belts reduce the risk of fatal injuries to 45%, but only 30% of passengers wear them.
• 🧒 Children in arms — upon impact, the child’s weight is multiplied by the speed. B PAZ-3205 For children under 7 years old, special fastenings are provided, but they are almost never used.

⚠️ Attention: If you are traveling to minibus (for example, GAZelle Next), any place is dangerous — these vehicles do not have a rigid safety cage, and the seats are attached to the body, which is deformed during an accident. RSA statistics show that serious injuries occur in minibus accidents. 87% of passengers regardless of location.

5. Safety features in different types of transport

Interior design and injury risks vary depending on the type of vehicle. Let's look at the key differences:

🚌 City buses (LiAZ, MAZ, PAZ)

In them most dangerous areas — the first two rows and the area at the back door. This is due to:

• A short wheelbase (the distance between the axles), which causes higher inertial loads.
• Lack of seat belts (except new models LiAZ-5292.67).
• High passenger density, which increases the risk of secondary collisions.

🚌 Intercity and tourist buses (Setra, Neoplan, Volvo)

It's safer here thanks to:

• Extended base (more space to absorb inertia).
• The presence of seat belts and energy-absorbing backrests.
• Reinforced frame (meets the standard ECE R66).

However the risk remains on the overhead luggage racks - when the bus overturns, heavy bags can fall on passengers.

🚋 Trams and trolleybuses

Rail transport has its own characteristics:

• 🔹 Telescoping — in the event of a collision, the carriages can “fold”, so it is safer to sit in first third of the head car or the last third of the caudal.
• 🔹 High center of gravity - on trams 71-623 and 71-631 In the event of a rollover, passengers in the upper seats are injured in 2 times more often.
• 🔹 No belts - even in modern LAN-2009 no locking systems.

Why is it safer to stand on the subway than to sit?

In the subway, most injuries are associated not with traffic accidents, but with sudden braking. During emergency braking, a seated passenger may hit his head on the handrails or other standing people. When standing, a person instinctively groups himself, distributing the load on his legs. However, this does not apply to trains with hard seats (e.g. 81-717/714), where the risk of injury is higher in a frontal collision.

6. What to do if there are no safe places?

During rush hour or in crowded transport, choosing the ideal seat is not always possible. In such cases, follow risk minimization rules:

• 🧲 Hold the handrails with both hands - this reduces the amplitude of body movement when braking. B PAZ-3204 handrails are designed for loads up to 150 kg.
• 👟 Face the direction of travel - it’s easier to maintain balance this way. On trams 71-633 There are even special inclined handrails for this purpose.
• 🎒 Take off your backpack and hold it in your hands - on buses LiAZ-5292 backpacks on the back increase the risk of spinal injuries upon impact.
• 👶 Hold your child by the hand, not in your arms — in the event of a collision, the child’s weight increases 10–20 times, and it is impossible to hold him.
• 📵 Don't use headphones - they distract from sound signals (for example, squealing brakes).

If you stood during an accident, after an impact, press your back against the seat or wall - this will help avoid the “whiplash effect” (sudden movement of the head back and forth), which leads to injuries to the cervical spine.

7. Myths about safety in public transport

There are many misconceptions among passengers that can cost their health. Let's look at the most common ones:

❌ Myth 1: “The back row is the safest”

This is only true for passenger cars. On buses, the rear end rises up during a frontal impact (a “diving” effect), and passengers can be thrown out of their seats. In crash tests Mercedes-Benz Citaro mannequins in the back rows received head injuries from the ceiling.

❌ Myth 2: “It’s better to sit by the window - there are fewer people there”

In fact, in the event of a side impact or rollover of a bus, the windows crash 80% of the time (data Research Institute of Automobile Transport). Glass shards and warping panels cause severe cuts. On buses Bogdan A092 The glass is not tempered, which increases the risk.

❌ Myth 3: “You can sleep on an intercity bus without a belt”

Sleep relaxes the muscles, and when struck, the body cannot regroup. B Setra S 416 tests have shown that unbelted sleeping passengers suffer neck injuries in 3 times more oftenthan those who are awake.

❌ Myth 4: “It’s safer in the upper seats on a tram”

In the event of a rollover or collision, passengers in the upper seats fall from a height of 1.5–1.8 m, which is equivalent to jumping from the second floor. On trams 71-623 The upper seats do not have latches, and people often fly out of them under heavy braking.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about safety in public transport

❓ Where is it safer to sit on the bus with a child?

B central zone between the axes, on seats facing the direction of travel. If the bus is equipped with seat belts (for example, Neoplan Cityliner), be sure to secure your child using child restraint (chair or adapter). Avoid sitting near the emergency exit - during an emergency evacuation there may be a crush there.

For children under 7 years old on city buses (for example, LiAZ-5292) special folding seats with restraints are provided. Do not sit the child on your lap - when hit, his weight will increase 10-20 times, and it will be impossible to hold him.

❓ Why are there no seat belts in the subway?

Belts are not installed in the subway for three reasons:

1. The design of subway cars is designed to frontal collisions (the rarest type of accident in the metro).
2. The high frequency of stops makes the use of belts impractical.
3. In modern carriages (for example, 81-760/761 "Oka") seats and handrails are designed to minimize injury during emergency braking.

However, on commuter trains (for example, ED4M) seat belts are required — there is a higher risk of collisions and rollovers.

❓ Which buses are the safest for passengers?

Based on crash test results Euro NCAP and ETSC, the most secure models:

• Volvo 8900 — reinforced frame, energy-absorbing zones, belts in all places.
• Mercedes-Benz Citaro - system PreSafe, which automatically brakes when an obstacle is detected.
• Setra S 516 HDH - low center of gravity, which reduces the risk of capsizing.
• LiAZ-5292.67 - the only Russian bus with seat belts and compliance ECE R66.

The most dangerous models in urban transport are: PAZ-3204 and GAZelle Next due to the lack of a rigid frame and belts.

❓ Is it possible to reduce the risk of injury if you stand in transport?

Yes, if you follow the rules:

• stand facing forward - it’s easier to maintain balance this way.
• hold on with both hands by the handrails (in MAZ-203 they are designed for loads up to 200 kg).
• Place your feet shoulder-width apart, with your knees slightly bent - this will help reduce inertia.
• Avoid standing at the door - upon impact they may become deformed.

Do not stand on trams and trolleybuses steps — when braking, the risk of falling increases 5 times.

❓ What to do if the bus gets into an accident?

Algorithm of actions:

1. If you sit — press your back against the seat, cross your arms over your chest, tilt your head forward.
2. If you stand - try to sit or press against the wall, grouped.
3. After stopping don't get up right away - a secondary impact may occur.
4. Leave the salon through emergency exits (in LiAZ-5292 they are marked with green signs).
5. Don't use lighters or phones — risk of fire or fuel explosion.

On intercity buses (for example, Setra S 417) After an accident, the emergency lighting system is automatically activated - follow the signs to the exits.