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2019 Ottawa Bus Crash Ruled Accidental, Jury Issues 60 Safety Recommendations

Coroner’s inquest proposes measures like driver-facing cameras, radar speed signs, and enhanced operator training to prevent future transit fatalities.

Firefighters work at the scene where a double-decker city bus struck a transit shelter in Ottawa,  Jan. 11, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Overview

  • The coroner’s inquest into the 2019 OC Transpo bus crash that killed three people concluded the deaths were accidental.
  • The jury issued 60 recommendations, including installing driver-facing cameras on all OC Transpo buses and radar speed signs on transitways.
  • A call was made to assess new drivers’ proficiency on all bus types and to introduce dedicated buses for training purposes.
  • The inquest highlighted crash dynamics, noting the bus was traveling at 58–60 km/h with no braking before it struck the shelter.
  • The recommendations are non-binding and now await review by municipal, provincial, and federal authorities for potential implementation.