Speeding school bus
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,573
Likes: 5,609
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
I can answer this question if you really want the answer. Many studies have shown than the seat belts increase the over all risk to children on school buses. New Jersey has had seat belt laws for busses for years. and it is the drivers job to make sure the kids are using them.
if the bus is involved in an accident and the children are hurt because they are not wearing the seat beat, the driver and aid can and will be charged for the improper restraint of a passenger while in transport.
The interior design with pading on THE BACK OF THE SEATS protect in almost all of the low speed accidents. This is why school buses are not suppose to speed. 45 mph is the max alowed other than activity buses approved for interstate use. School buses have federal safety standards not found on SUVs and cars. This is one of the reasons they sit so high. It lets a speeding car go under it(often killing the people in the car) but keeping the kids above the impact zone protecting them.
if the bus is involved in an accident and the children are hurt because they are not wearing the seat beat, the driver and aid can and will be charged for the improper restraint of a passenger while in transport.
The interior design with pading on THE BACK OF THE SEATS protect in almost all of the low speed accidents. This is why school buses are not suppose to speed. 45 mph is the max alowed other than activity buses approved for interstate use. School buses have federal safety standards not found on SUVs and cars. This is one of the reasons they sit so high. It lets a speeding car go under it(often killing the people in the car) but keeping the kids above the impact zone protecting them.
not true. plain and simple.
when a car hits the side of a school bus, it does NOT "go under it often killing the people in the car keeping the kids above the impact zone protecting them."
when a speeding car hits the side of a school bus, it hits low on the high center of gravity the bus has, causing the bus to flip over.
maybe the problem was if it was on fire and kids couldnt get unbelted, but yes, I agree with you.
on this i agree with you.
Back in 1995 a train hit a high school bus in my hometown. Kids were ejected and did die. I wonder if more classmates would have died had they been strapped in for that impact.
1995 Fox River Grove bus?train collision - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
on this i agree with you.
Back in 1995 a train hit a high school bus in my hometown. Kids were ejected and did die. I wonder if more classmates would have died had they been strapped in for that impact.
1995 Fox River Grove bus?train collision - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
i really don't think seat belts would have made any more or less of a difference in that one.
trains and objects on the tracks don't mix. the train is always gonna win.
Temporarily Deactivated
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 526
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 42,085
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ca.
I can see where lap belts, without a shoulder harness, could cause more damage then they might prevent in the event of a frontal collision. Just imagine getting your face smashed into the seat in front of you.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,573
Likes: 5,609
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
and i remember very well all 3 crashes we were in in the school buses of the late 60's and early 70's, and they all had padded seat backs, and it was not a big deal when we slid forward into the seat in front of us.
Temporarily Deactivated
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 526
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
I been to lots of school bus accidents. Seen people killed that went UNDER the buses and kids not hurt. Only time I saw dead kids was when the bus was T.boned by a speeding tractor trailor and I dont think seat belts would have helped. But what do I know?
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,573
Likes: 5,609
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
i spent way too many years involved with the police and fire departments, and saw way too many accidents involving school buses on their sides or top, after they flipped when they were broadsided by cars that hit low and knocked them over.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 3
From: Grants Pass, Oregon
We've had similar problems being out off the main road a ways. We've had good luck with organic speed bumps, other wise known as grab about a two inch thick branch and lay it in the road. We were sitting in the yard once when this guy who's girlfriend lives up the road goes by fast - twice. Out came the organic speed bump. Next time he come flying by he slams on the brakes - and darned if doesn't stop, get out and move it to the side of the road - *then* smoke the tires and speed off! I went and put the "bump" back in the road. He comes by again and see it, slams on the brakes again. This time he left it - but he got the message! 
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Temporarily Deactivated
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 526
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
The short answer no one will debate is.In spite of legal action trying to forse the use of belts for all school buses (note many do have them for special needs) the law makers have not been convinced of their need.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From: darrington wash
ya kow what though Steve?? we had only lap belts for a hell of a long time, and we all lived through it without knocking our faces off on the solid steel unpadded dashboards of the 1960's cars.
and i remember very well all 3 crashes we were in in the school buses of the late 60's and early 70's, and they all had padded seat backs, and it was not a big deal when we slid forward into the seat in front of us.
and i remember very well all 3 crashes we were in in the school buses of the late 60's and early 70's, and they all had padded seat backs, and it was not a big deal when we slid forward into the seat in front of us.
hey ive road in these old steel dashed cars and trucks since i was a baby.... and im still walking and talking....
and i only have a little brain damage lol.... the old man was nice for use kids though, and installed seat belts in the back seat of the 65 barracuda...
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 199
Likes: 2
From: Worcester, MA
New User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
not true. plain and simple.
when a car hits the side of a school bus, it does NOT "go under it often killing the people in the car keeping the kids above the impact zone protecting them."
when a speeding car hits the side of a school bus, it hits low on the high center of gravity the bus has, causing the bus to flip over.
i don't think that is true Jake. the seat belt will not cause any more panic than is already caused by the impact. and i think it would produce less injury's because the kids would be restrained to their seats instead if being thrown around the buds like a bunch of rag dolls.
i really don't think seat belts would have made any more or less of a difference in that one.
trains and objects on the tracks don't mix. the train is always gonna win.
when a car hits the side of a school bus, it does NOT "go under it often killing the people in the car keeping the kids above the impact zone protecting them."
when a speeding car hits the side of a school bus, it hits low on the high center of gravity the bus has, causing the bus to flip over.
i don't think that is true Jake. the seat belt will not cause any more panic than is already caused by the impact. and i think it would produce less injury's because the kids would be restrained to their seats instead if being thrown around the buds like a bunch of rag dolls.
i really don't think seat belts would have made any more or less of a difference in that one.
trains and objects on the tracks don't mix. the train is always gonna win.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,573
Likes: 5,609
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
not all of them. only on the buses where assistance is needed helping students get on and off, or buses where there are discipline problems.