NATIONAL COALITION OF SCHOOL BUS SAFETY NEWS 2004

Pros and cons of seat belts
January 12, 2004
There are two camps on the issue of seat belts on school buses.

FOR SEAT BELTS:

If a crash occurs, the use of seat belts will reduce the probability of death and lessen injuries to children correctly seated in post-1977 buses.

Seat belt use improves passenger behavior and reduces driver distractions.

Seat belts offer protection against injuries in rollover or side-impact crashes.

Seat belt use on school buses has a carryover effect when riding in other vehicles.

The cost to install seat belts is nominal over the life of a bus.
AGAINST SEAT BELTS:

More children are killed around the school bus than inside the school bus. Seat belts are of no value in these accidents.

No data show that seat belts would reduce fatalities or injuries in front- and rear-end accidents.

Over the past two decades, compartmentalized seat design has demonstrated it works in many wrecks.

Money proposed for seat belt installation would be better spent on other safety measures.