Why Don't School Buses Have Seat Belts?

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

16 Oct 2008 05:09 PM

Car seats and booster seats are required by law whenever you transport a child, in a car, under the age of eight and the weight of 80 pounds. Why then, are not even seat belts required on school buses that carry children as young as five for kindergarten, or in the case of special services and private preschools as young as three?

This was a question that I debated with our neighbor across the road as we watched our kids, in first and second grade, load on to the bus. This year we have a great bus driver who makes sure the kids are as safe as possible. Last year, the driver would pull out even before kids were seated, sometimes causing them to fly back through the bus.

Thankfully, we no longer have that driver, but it still raises an interesting question about the lack of seat belts. Do you remember a couple of years ago when four teens were killed in Alabama and many others injured when a school bus went over the edge of a highway overpass and fell below to the street, flinging students out of their seats?

One main reason that school busses don't have seat belts is because it would limit the capacity of the bus. Many school districts expect three small children to share one seat, therefore requiring fewer buses. With seat belts, you are limited to two children per seat. This may force the school district because of limited funds to extend the range of those who are not eligible for bus transportation, forcing students to walk or bike, and this may not only be an inconvenience but also a safety hazard.

Another argument against seat belts is that in the event of the bus falling into open water, younger children may not be able to unhook the seat belts.

Pilot programs are testing out seat belt use on small buses.

Where do you stand on this issue? Should school buses have seat belts?

Click here for more articles by Mary Ann Romans.

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Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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Kara (21330) 17 Oct 2008 06:03 AM

I think that they should. They teach our children we have to use safety belts...but don't renforce the idea at all. I think if you teach young ones how to buckle and unbuckle it wouldn't be a issue. They should be required just like it is everwhere else....I think even when they believe 3 children should fit to a seat that usually the last one in has their feet out into the isle. I am sure there are children that are small enough but when I rode the bus we never fit and there would be kids sitting on the floor.

Mary Ann Romans (26876) 17 Oct 2008 06:22 AM

Thanks, Kara. On our bus, my son who is 7 sits with two other kids who are both 6.

Valorie Delp (49340) 17 Oct 2008 08:20 AM

Buses have other safety features in them that help prevent crashing (in theory.) I do think that having individual seat belts on a bus can be a serious safety hazard in the event of a crash. . .but I have often wondered why there couldn't be one lap belt per seat. Easier to get unlatched in an accident if need be and certainly safer than having nothing.

Mary Ann Romans (26876) 17 Oct 2008 10:10 AM

High seat backs are required for larger buses to prevent students from flying over them in the event of a crash.

Vickymiller1 (6) 21 Jan 2009 07:46 AM

As a School Bus Driver, I must say that I am against the use of Seat Belts on a School bus. I have approx. 47 students per school (Middle and Elementary) who ride my bus daily. It would be my responsibility to ensure that all the students have buckled up. Which in some cases would require me to leave my seat to walk back to check ( Or for the school division to hire bus aides to assist me). Also, what to do with the unused belts that hang off the seats into the aisle, etc. Even with retractable belts, students would see them as something to play with, which could lead to unnecessary injuries to other students if swung around. And finally, we all know that in the event of a crash, seatbelts can and do lock and are many times unable to release. In this situation, I would be required to go through the bus and use a seat belt cutter to release those students who are stuck. I have had nightmares on this instance where I was driving and was hit by another vehicle. The bus ignited in the front and I had meer moments to get the students out the back of the bus. I have 47 students and one seat belt cutter! How could I explain to those parents whos children I could not get to in time? Sends chills down my spine everytime I think about it! Our buses are built specifically for the protection of our students on board. We have High Back, cushioned seats to protect the children in the event of a crash. As long as the students are seated correctly, facing forward, they would be protected.