Should school buses have seatbelts?

School buses are statistically one of the safest methods of transportation available. And for good reason – when transporting our children, we want the absolute highest possible safety measures. Opponents of the seat belts in school buses say that only about 20 children across the country die each year in a school bus accident. In total, about 800 students die each year going to and from school, with over half of those fatalities attributed to teenage drivers. Yes, school buses only account for 5% of the tragic fatalities, but most parents would agree that clearly there is still room for improvement.

California passed a state law on July 1, 2005 requiring that all school buses be fitted with seatbelts. They were not the first: both New York and New Jersey have passed similar legislation. However the interesting loophole in California and New York is that the law does not require that bus drivers ensure that all kids are strapped in, or that the belts have to be used at all. Many are confused by these seemly mixed signals – why mandate seat belts on buses if they won’t be used? Are we to reasonably expect that a five-year old child is going to make the decision to put the belt on every time?

The state of New Jersey does not expect it. In fact, one study showed fair compliance of the belts in younger children, though usage actually diminished as children got older. That’s why the state decided to actually make the 1992 law enforceable, requiring that bus drivers check to ensure all students wear their belts. Not only does this measure keep children safer while traveling on the bus, it also keeps a consistent and clear message about seatbelt use between home and school.

As an extra safety measure, the state also legislated at the same time that school buses must have higher seat backs (28 inches) and emergency roof hatches.

An accident in Florida presents a strong case for seatbelt use. On Nov. 11, 2004 a teenager was killed during an accident with a pick-up truck. The bus rolled over, causing the student to be ejected from the bus. People are four times more likely to be killed in an accident when ejected from a vehicle. This school bus did actually have a seatbelt that could have kept the teenager in the bus and saved her life, but she wasn’t wearing it at the time. Florida mandated that all new school buses must come equipped with seatbelts, but does not enforce their use.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a school bus or any other type of vehicle, contact a personal injury lawyer at Jim S. Adler & Associates. We have more than three decades of experience in Texas helping victims of accidents fight for their rights, and get the compensation they deserve to pay for medical bills, and pain and suffering. Your ordeal may be hard enough without trying to wade through legal waters alone. Click the link below for a free case review,  and one of our lawyers will help you understand what your rights are.

 

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