School Bus Seat Belt Survey

Susan Barba

12 November 2001

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Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001 13:29:45 -0500

From: Susan Barba <sbarba@fcaq.k12.ec>

Subject: Seatbelts

To: HEAD-NET@TC.UMN.EDU

Here are the results from my inquiry about seat belts:

Yes, we have seat belts: 14

No, we do not have seat belts: 8

1 school has them up to grade 5

1 school does not have any buses

1 school only uses them on the mini vans for 3 and 4 year olds

Reasons for not having seat belts:

-It poses more of a safety risk with students not being able to get out

of the bus fast enough in an emergency

-Enforcement, among the older kids, is difficult

-It is not required by local laws.

Reasons for having seat belts:

-Increased safety

-Legal issues

-Parents feel their children are more secure.

Thanks for your responses,

Susan A. Barba

Director General

American School Quito

Quito, Ecuador

Susan: We haven't met but I am the new AAIE Exec as of August first. Just a little US state side "spin" on your questions and results. Generally..... that means most States do not require seat belts for normal to and from school bus trips. Special Ed generally does require them. The thinking goes that new school bus seat design and modern construction "compartmentalizes "the student passenger in such a way that with large, heavy and slow moving busses the that cost isn't justified. Some local systems and there are 15,000 independent systems in the US do require them but that usually is after some specific local/regional event. If you want more I had a super Transportation Director who you'll see on the CC who might be a resource . See you in San Fran. Herb

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