LEGISLATURE
Sample Letter 2
February 1, 1999
Rep. Jacqueline Cocco
Co-Chair, Transportation Committee
Room 2300
Legislative Office Building
Hartford, Ct 06106-1591
Dear Representative Cocco;
The CT. Chapter of the National
Coalition for School Bus Safety supports S.B. 177 which would require seatbelts on all new
school buses.. Our organization has been actively monitoring school bus safety and
collecting data for over 15 years. The arguments against seatbelts on school buses are
being discredited and attributed to self-serving economically motivated groups. The public
is becoming more aware of the truly valid reasons for their installation and use.
Opponents say that seat belts on
large school buses are harmful to small children. If this is true then why is there a
child restraint law in every state. Seat belts on school buses have been endorsed by the
American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of
Orthopedic Surgeons, American College of Preventative Medicine, Physicians for Automotive
Safety, The Center for Auto Safety, and the Fire Marshalls Association.
Opponents claim that seatbelts on
school buses are not cost effective and that School buses have a excellent safety record.
'They ignore the fact that seatbelts would cost most districts about $1.60 a child per
year or less than a penny a day for this added protection. The National Safety Council
reports that about 13,000 pupil-passengers were injured on school buses last year. The
preliminary data from New Jersey where seat belts are mandated shows lower morbidity and
mortality rates on school bus crashes.
Opponents ignore the fact that by
not providing seatbelts, a school district is demonstrating a form of NEGATIVE EDUCATION.
All 50 states protect our young motor-vehicle passengers by mandating the use of safety
seats or belts in passenger cars. Thus, the children today are already trained to
"buckle-up" and are in the habit of riding safely secured. This habit persists
enforced by law, until the first day of school where a portion of the Transport Industry
says its proper to ride unsecured. This negative training carries over to our teenage
drivers who are killed in drastic numbers from automobile crashes because they haven't
learned the importance of wearing a seatbelt. What a great OPPORTUNITY we have before us
to educate and condition a new generation of children with this life saving belt.
Opponents state that
"compartmentalization" (protection between high-back padded seats) provides
sufficient protection. They have ignored the effects of rear-end, lateral and rollover
collisions. During a crash children become human missiles as they are thrown from their
seats.
Opponents suggest that seatbelts
would hinder evacuation and that they are more trouble than they're worth. The children
today can utilize this basic safety technology without slowing evacuation. It is easier to
assist a conscious passenger than one who has been tossed about in a collision. The Fire
Marshalls Association endorsement and seatbelts widespread use on airplanes attest to
this.
We urge all legislators to take
the side of logic and not be swayed by the opponents of this bin. Carefully examine the
economic motives of those who oppose S.B. 177. We ask that the assembly members listen to
the parents, grandparents, and doctors who may not be as vocal as the opposing industry
lobby, but whose primary concern is protecting children. A recent survey showed that 94.7%
of parents favor mandated seatbelt usage on school buses. Please do not hesitate to
contact me for questions or further information.
Sincerely,
Dr. Alan L. Ross
President, NCSBS
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