Why aren't buses required to have seatbelts?

Answer 1

Because of the way the bus is made. The seats are high and compartment separated so it will deflect the child back into that one compartment in a accident. Also in the case of a serious accident if the children were in seatbelts it would be difficult to get all the children out in a timely and safe manner. You are normally talking one adult to 30-60 kids. I now it sounds absured but I am a sub bus driver and I asked the same question when I started.

Answer 2

Buses operate on a safety concept known as "compartmentalization" so it's been felt that during a crash, just like being in the back seat of a car, you're safer and bodies wouldn't be tossed about because of the height and stability of seats, seat arrangement, etc.

However, now that statistics are showing that more injuries are occurring during minor crashes on buses... and for young school children just a bump in the road etc... buses are returning to the use of seat belts if there are aides on the buses to help children exit in case of emergency.

Big concern about children being belted or harnessed on a bus is simply "how do you get them out quickly?" because there are so many. Also while harnesses disperse force of crash across thicker trunk region of a child's body, serious internal injury can occur from wearing only a lap belt. So... the jury is still out on how to travel schoolchildren safely... and public buses have even higher seatbacks and many now have seat belts to be used in conjunction with the compartmentalization concept.

Answer 3

A very few states do actually require seatbelts on school buses. But it should be a requirement in all... It comes down to the almighty $$$

Answer 4

Bus Construction

In an accident involving a school bus, most fatalities and injuries occur outside of the bus. The construction of a typical school bus creates a safer passenger environment than that of a car or lighter vehicle. The impact of a crash is weaker because buses are heavier. This force is distributed differently along a bus. Buses have a body-on-frame design. This greatly differs from lighter vehicles, and provides impact protection not found elsewhere.

A bus' interior also differs from a car. The use of closely spaced seats that have padded backs -- a design called compartmentalization -- creates an enclosed environment for passengers in the absence of seat belts.

Studies of Safety
Numerous studies examining the effectiveness of different belt types and seating arrangements came to the same conclusion: seatbelts on a bus have more drawbacks than advantages.

Neither lap nor lap-and-shoulder belts on a bus provide the same type of protection offered in a car. During a head-on collision, the most common type for belts, lap belts, increase the risk of injury. On impact, this type of restraint allows a passenger's head to jerk forward, risking severe head and neck injury. Lap and shoulder belts would require the installation of stiffer seats. These seats could become a source of impact injury. Studies also showed that children slip downwards when restrained by lap and shoulder belts, risking injury to vulnerable internal organs.

In 1999, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) examined the effect of seat belt installation in buses. They came to the conclusion that seat belts actually would result in head injuries and fatalities. In fact, the NTSB found a relationship between most injuries/deaths and the seating position of the passenger. In these cases, the presence of seat belts would change nothing.

While there is no evidence proving that seat belts on buses save lives, there is reason to worry they may cause harm. During an emergency, seat belts could hinder young children from quickly exiting the bus; they simply could not free themselves. Drivers would be hard pressed to monitor belt usage for every student. And the heavy buckles could be used as weapons.

Studies by federal agencies, including the NTSB, have shown bus construction provides greater safety than seat belts ever could. Comparing the design of a school bus to a car is like comparing apples to oranges. Where belts protect passengers during car collisions, their presence may cause severe injuries on a bus. Seatbelts are only required on small buses weighing less than 10,000 pounds because their design more closely resembles a car. It is ironic, but the reality is that seat belts have no place on a school bus.

Answer 5

The girlwholovedbrains and Ann D are correct in the things they have said. The internal injuries are a big thing if the bus tips or flips. If they are only strapped by a lapbelt they are just hanging there by their waist.

Answer 6

Because in the event of a really serious accident, especially where the driver may be at fault, they want everybody dead to eliminate the possibility of personal injury law suites!

Answer 7

There is less risk of injury. Busses have much great mass than cars and so don't stop so quickly and the passengers ride higher than passengers in cars.

Answer 8

Ask your bus driver

Answer 9

The same reason that other vehicles are - MONEY!

Answer 10

air brakes...