STUDIES:
SEATBELTS IN SCHOOL BUSES
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Students Are At Risk!
There have been
at least 62,000 pupil injuries in reported school bus accidents in the period 1991 to
1996. There were at least 59 passenger fatalities. (Accident Facts, National Safety
Council 1992-97 editions; Fatal Accident Reporting System)
Research done by
CNN shows that school bus passenger injuries have risen by 94% between 1985-96 nationally.
Improved
Safety!
Research shows that high back
padded seats and seat belts together provide greater safety for school bus passengers in
an accident. Seat belts are most effective in side impact and roll over accidents where
high back seats alone are least effective in preventing injuries. Seat belts and high back
seats work together to increase passenger safety.
Studies: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7
It Can Be Done!
The states of New York and New
Jersey and many school districts require all new school buses to be equipped with seat
belts and high backed seats. Neither state reports any safety problem with belts.
Districts with strong seat belt
use, education and enforcement policies report significant compliance at all grade levels.
Studies: 1, 2, 4
Cost!
A 65 passenger bus can be
equipped with seat belts for an additional $1,100. This figure is from a manufacturer's
price quote.
Evacuation!
The use of seat belts does not
significantly increase evacuation time.
Current seat belt buckle design
coupled with education on easy use of a cutting tool helps ensure that no child of school
age will be trapped in a bus by their seat belt.
Seat belts will hold students in
their seats during an accident. This means they will be more able to evacuate the bus
quickly.
Studies: 1, 2
Medical Community Support!
Seat Belts in school buses are
endorsed by:
American Medical Association
Physicians for Automotive Safety
American Academy of Pediatrics
College of Preventive Medicine
American Association of Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery
American Society for Adolescent Medicine
American College of Emergency Physicians
Why High Back Seats? Because
...
The original 1967
UCLA recommendation was for a 28' seat back with seat belts because they greatly increase
the compartmentalization of passengers.
They cushion the
heads of both seat belted and non-seat belted passengers in frontal impacts.
The American
Academy of Pediatrics recommends a 28' seat back.
Other
Benefits!
Availability and
use of seat belts on school buses will reinforce the important safety habit of buckling
up.
Seat belts will
reduce the number of fatal actions such as putting arms and heads out of windows.
Studies: 1, 4
Students who are
properly belted in are less distracting to the school bus driver. This could easily lead
to fewer accidents.
Studies: 1, 2, 4
STUDIES REFERENCED:
-
Seat Belts in School
Buses, NY Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), 1994
-
School Bus Safety
Belt Study, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 1989
-
Transportation
Research Board, National Research Council, Special Rep6rt No. 222, 1989
-
School Bus Safety
Belts: Their Use, Carryover. Effects and Administrative Issues, NHTSA, 1986
-
Increasing School
Bus Safety for New York State's Children Through Seat Belts and the Elimination of
Standees!, 1986, New York State Legislative Commission on Critical Transportation
Choices
-
School Bus Safety in
New York State ... Children at Risk?, 1985, New York State Legislative Commission on
Critical Transportation Choices
-
School Bus Passenger
Protection, Severy, Brink and Baird, UCLA, 1967', 1972
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