Across the nation, laws have been passed that require drivers and passengers of both commercial and private motor vehicles to buckle their seat belts while in the automobile. These laws were designed to protect the occupants of the vehicle in the event of a collision; however, no such law has been passed concerning seat belt safety on school buses. This seems shocking considering that 60% of people involved in automobile collisions experience serious injuries, not to mention the growing number of automobile collisions that occur each year. This issue begs the question: if we pass laws to protect children in regular automobiles, why would we not do the same for school buses?
The issue seems surprisingly difficult to resolve and has been contested for many years. Advocates of installing seat belts in school buses point out the fact that children are required to wear seat belts when in cars driven by their parents, so it only makes sense that they should be required to wear a seat belt while riding in a bus driven by another adult. The National Coalition for School Bus Safety has fought for tougher regulations for many years and has been successful in some regards. In 1987, New York passed legislation requiring “lap” belts on all new school buses and became the first state to adopt school bus seat belt safety laws. New Jersey and Florida soon followed and passed similar laws soon after New York. California also became involved in the ongoing argument for seat belts and passed legislation that required the use of three point, or shoulder belts, on all new buses.
Those opposing seat belts in school buses used a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to prove their point. The study found that two point seat belts, or 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 school bus seat belt legislation argue that children are unlikely to wear shoulder belts correctly, rendering them ineffective to protect the children properly.
Safety aside, both advocates and opponents of such regulations need to also consider the economic cost of installing seat belts on school buses. It is estimated that 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 deprive more children of bus service since some schools will simply not be able to afford as many seat belt equipped buses.
Accidents involving large vehicles like buses have the potential to seriously injure those involved. If you or someone you love has been a victim of a bus accident, it is vital that you contact an attorney immediately to discuss your legal rights. A skilled bus accident attorney will assist you in organizing an effective lawsuit against those who have caused you harm.
