U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CONSIDERS SAFETY BELTS FOR MOTORCOACHES
This week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood released a lengthy proposal which could require certain new motorcoaches to install lap-shoulder belts to help prevent driver and passenger ejections during collisions. The proposal defines a motorcoach as an "intercity, tour, or commuter bus" weighing over 26,000 pounds with seating for at least 16 passengers, and with at least two rows of forward-facing seats behind the driver.
However, the proposed rule excludes urban transit buses and large school buses. (Beginning next year, small school buses, under 10,000 pounds, will be required to have lap/shoulder restraints.) Why you might ask? Well, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) declares that the cost required to install seat belts in large school buses could be overly-burdensome. Specifically, the department stated in its proposal: "[R]equiring installation of seat belts on large school buses would increase school bus costs that the purchaser would have to bear. Those costs could result in fewer school buses used to transport children and more students having to use alternative, less safe means to get to school." NHTSA stated further: "NHTSA does not believe that passenger seat belts should be required on large school buses. Instead, the agency believes that local school transportation planners should be given the ability to analyze the transportation risks particular to their needs, and to decide whether they wish to incur the cost of purchasing large school buses equipped with passenger seat belts." See NHTSA's entire, 90-page proposal here.
Government agencies argue that large school buses should not be required to install seat belts since they must comply with more stringent safety standards than do motorcoaches, including compartmentalization, roof strength requirements and numerous additional safety features. However, would our children be safer with the added guarantee of a seat belt? I think so.
School bus safety is a major concern to parents and school administrators throughout the United States, and it is a frequent topic on this blog. Each year, a number of students sustain significant injuries or worse as a result of school bus accidents.
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