Bus Accident Lawyers

Seat Belts in School Buses – An Ongoing Debate

Across the nation, laws require drivers and passengers of both commercial and private motor vehicles to “buckle up” their seat belts. These laws have one goal – to protect the occupants of the vehicle in case of a collision. And for good reason - it is estimated that seat belts save over 9,000 American lives every year. Compare that figure with statistics which show that some 60% of people killed in car accidents failed to wear their seat belts.

And here a troubling issue arises – if seat belts are responsible for saving so many lives, and if the lack of seat belts can be a significant factor in whether the occupants of a car during an accident live or die, why aren’t there any seat belts in the school buses that our children ride every day?

A Contested Issue

The issue is surprisingly difficult to resolve. On one side, advocates of installing seat belts in school buses point out that, if children wear seat belts when in cars driven by their parents, common sense would seem to dictate a need for seat belts on other forms of transportation – including buses – as well. Advocacy groups such as the National Coalition for School Bus Safety have fought for tougher regulations for years, with some success. In 1987, New York passed legislation requiring two-point, or “lap” belts on all new school buses, making it the first state to adopt such measures. New Jersey and Florida also passed similar laws in subsequent years, and California has approved legislation requiring three-point, or “shoulder” belts on new buses.

On the other side of the debate, many school transportation officials say that school buses have outstanding safety records, and that the addition of seat belts may actually be detrimental to safety considerations. One piece of oft-cited evidence is a 2002 study on school bus safety conducted by the National Research Council. The study found that children riding a school bus were far safer than those who walked, biked, or rode in cars on their way to school. Experts attribute this finding to the structural design of school buses. Another study, conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, found that lap belts actually increased the risk of neck and abdominal injuries in an accident. Shoulder belts fared slightly better, showing safety benefits if worn correctly. Opponents of seat belts on buses legislation say that children are unlikely to wear shoulder belts correctly and will be prone to putting the shoulder strap under an arm or behind their backs, creating a potential hazard.

Safety aside, both advocates and opponents of such regulations must consider the economic cost of installing seat belts on school buses. By one estimate, the California three-point belt law would cost schools an extra $1,500 to $1,800 per vehicle. Some people have expressed concerns that higher prices for school buses may have the side effect of depriving more children of bus service.

Accidents involving large vehicles like buses have the potential to seriously injure or even kill large numbers of people. If you or someone you love has been a victim of such an accident, don’t hesitate to consult a bus accident lawyer from Williams Kherkher about your legal options. Call 866-950-9000 for a free initial consultation.