2006-12-11 11:48:59 · 17 answers · asked by Carol W 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
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.
safety.com
2006-12-11 13:11:26 · answer #1 · answered by crashguy351 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
There are many static safety systems on school buses. The topic of seat belts on school buses has been debated many times. It is felt that high back padded seats in school buses meet or exceed the safety provided by individual seat belt. In spite of perceptions, the safety record for student transportation in the U.S. is extremely good due to driver qualifications and vehicle design safety.
2006-12-11 12:22:31 · answer #2 · answered by Michael B 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ideally, yes. Practically, no. Buses are built to be safe for passengers without seat belts; that's what the high seat-backs are for. Also, bus crashes are not that common. And it would be nearly impossible for the driver to ensure that every passenger wears a seat belt.
2006-12-11 17:58:38 · answer #3 · answered by Ryan R 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
are you going to put another person on the bus to do up and undo 60 screaming brats that wont leave the belts on for 10 seconds,the driver would never get them anywhere having to stop and take care of them.also if there was a crash who is going to get all the kids out of the belts and off the bus,what about if there is a fire.per mile per student buses are still safe than any other transportation and are built for most collision types
2006-12-11 12:02:11 · answer #4 · answered by doug b 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, it would take a long time to have the belts installed, and it would be nearly impossible for the driver to enforce, not to mention, it would make it hard for the kids to get off the bus in case of an emergency.
2006-12-11 11:57:41 · answer #5 · answered by Chrisbees 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Arriving in Spain and boarding the bus you are asked to wear the seat belt as a matter of course, it should be universal.
2006-12-11 11:52:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
For the safety of the children? YES YES and YES but tell that to the regulators and the bus manufacturers Lobby
2006-12-11 11:55:20 · answer #7 · answered by E. L 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have always wondered why there aren't.
that really is a safety hazard. i guess that the seats in front of the kids are huge though, so they could'nt fly forward. but i think that they should be installed deffinatley.
i mean....what if the bus flipped or got side swiped???
2006-12-11 11:52:12 · answer #8 · answered by young republican 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yeah I totally agree. I think it'd be a lot safer than holding out your arms really fast as some sort of break! Like if they go over a huge bump or something, they could really get hurt. So yeah.
2006-12-11 11:53:47 · answer #9 · answered by DanaV 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I agree they should have them on ALL buses. I think they should pass a law to install them and refusing to do so, will result in high FINES.
2006-12-11 12:52:09 · answer #10 · answered by Hun 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋