Should School Buses have and Reenforce Seat Belt use – No
Wearing seat belts in family size passenger vehicles and being belted, (restrained), in a large bus such as a school bus, are like comparing oranges and apples. The purpose for a seat belt is to keep the passenger from being thrown from the vehicle on impact and the victim being pinned underneath the vehicle which in most cases results in death.
If a bus, such as a school bus, has an impact with something, it is highly unlikely for the students riding in the bus to be ejected because of the construction of the bus and the size of the opening of the windows of the bus as compared to those of a family size vehicle. There is only one door to open allowing children to be ejected through, whereas a family car has as many as four doors capable of coming open in a crash allowing an exit way for the passengers to be ejected. The driver of school buses are belted because they are located at the front of the bus where the window is larger and there is a higher likelihood the driver could become ejected in the right circumstances.
In the event a number of children are restrained in a bus after a crash, the likelihood of getting small children's seat belts unlatched and the children free with any degree of speed would be highly impossible. Children in a state of panic or injured would not be able to achieve this task by themselves, or it would be risky to judge they would be capable of doing so. There is always a fear of a massive fire when there is a motor vehicle accident where combustive fuel is on board. It is less risky to not be belted than to be belted and risk the child dying from a fire or from smoke inhalation because they could not free themselves from the seat belt to escape. With limited rescuers in the field, how horrific not to be able to get the children unlatched and putted to safety. In a crash every second counts.
Most school buses are equipped with high padded seat backs and small windows. The frames of the buses should be able to stand forceful impacts as well. Seat belts are dangerous for small children. If not fitted properly, seat belts can cut into the abdominal cavity of children causing their death or a shoulder strap misfitted causes injuries to the neck area. If there were to be restrains on school buses they would have to be in the form of size appropriate car seat type structured seats versus conventional seat belts since many passengers on school buses do not fit the height and weight requirements of the seat belt manufactures.
In conclusion, school buses and family vehicles are entirely two different issues where child restrains are concerned. We should never settle for over crowded buses and make sure the drivers of the buses are well trained not only to drive the buses but to handle a group of young children. We should be more concerned there are the appropriate number of adult monitors on the bus to monitor behavior and safety of the children while they are passengers on a school bus. The safety of our children doesn't lie is being belted, but by who is operating the bus and who is monitoring our children while they are riding on the bus.
Let us put our focus and attention on the issues which will safe guard our children such as buses in good condition, drivers of good character and good judgement skills, and adult bus child behavior monitors to watch over our precious cargo until they arrive home safety again.
