Are kids safe riding school buses?
National School Bus Safety Week is Oct. 17-23.
With recent accident reports involving school buses transporting students in the area, the question again has arisen, "Why are there no seat belts on school buses?"
In the Aug. 31, 2004, issue of the Wichita Eagle, the vehicle in which the Buhler volleyball players were riding was hit from the side by a van. The team was en route to a game. Most escaped without injuries some sustained minor injuries. The driver in the van sustained serious injuries.
The most recent reported accident involved Yoder Charter School students. The bus in which they were riding was hit by a semi-truck and trailer on Sept. 23, while the bus crossed K-96. According to the Eagle, one student died from injuries, four children, and the bus driver were hospitalized. Two students have since been released.
The question remains in the minds of parents and residents, "Could the death and injuries have been prevented had the students been wearing seat belts?"
USD 410 transportation and maintenance director Keith Goossen was asked: "Why are there no seat belts on most school buses?"
Goossen said according to a study done in the late 1980s, test results proved that lap belts created more injuries to students in tests than the padded compartments on the seats.
He further explained that students are "housed" in a padded compartment on buses. The integrity of the seats is strong enough for students to pull on the seat. The padding is approximately four inches thick.
He said in the study, more neck injuries occurred when the buses were hit from the rear or the front with lap seat belts than without lap belts.
With those findings from the study, the federal government does not list seat belts on school buses as a minimum standard requirement.
"I do see them making it mandatory to have lap and shoulder belts on school buses maybe in the next 10 years," Goossen said.
"That day will come after things have been tested and planned."
After evaluating future studies on test dummies, Goossen feels the government will make the lap and shoulder belts mandatory. The belts will be added to new models of school buses.
More data will be collected. For instance, questions will need to be addressed, "How would the seat belts accommodate a first grader verses a 12th grader who may use the same seat?"
Right now, the standard is 13 inches per child. Goossen said younger students are able to fit three to a seat and still be safe.
Instituting lap and shoulder belts will limit seating capacity on buses, thus raising the purchase cost.
Goossen reported the district's Head Start bus is equipped with lap and shoulder harnesses and seats 12 students and includes a space that is handicap accessible.
Goossen said until the mandate is made, USD 410 will continue to make sure every precaution is made to insure students and drivers are safe riding on school buses.
Goossen highlighted a few equipment items USD 410 implemented on its school buses before it was mandated by the federal government.
Strobe lights, escape hatch, fire-retardant seat coverings, and backup alarms are part of newer school buses the district ordered. The newer buses also have heated mirrors.
"As a district we go beyond what the federal government mandates," Goossen said.
In his 10-year term as director, Goossen said there has been one reported school bus accident, excluding minor deer accidents. There were no injuries in that accident.
"Hopefully, we have trained our personnel to be as safe as possible when transporting students," he said.
