Studies suggest bus seatbelts unnecessary
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Tyler Okun, a student at Dodge Elementary School, is greeted by his mom, Leslie, at a school bus stop. Statistics have shown that 90 percent of injuries take place outside the bus instead of while seated inside the vehicle. Photo by Jim Smerecak Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

In New York State seatbelts on school buses are an option, and studies show that may be a good thing.

Jim Doherty, area general manager for Laidlaw Education Services, said many companies have done testing on seatbelts on school buses and none has shown them to be beneficial.

"No one has come up with a conclusion that they are safer, and it can be harmful for students in some cases," Doherty said.

Locally Laidlaw services approximately half the Williamsville School District's busing needs and all of the Amherst Central School District's. Neither district requires seatbelts to be worn by students. In the 1980s a law was passed in New York State requiring all buses to be equipped with belts.

Doherty said that he oversees districts across the state to Binghamton and currently not one district requires them to be worn.

On school buses only lap belts are installed. Unlike vehicles that have the lap belts and shoulder harness.

"There are no definitive tests or studies that show seatbelts are safer, number one. And number two, more than 90 percent of fatalities happen outside of the school bus," he said, adding that includes students walking to and from the bus.

Doherty said that the reason seat belts are not beneficial on a school bus are because of the seat design. When a school bus is involved in an accident students are pushed into the seat in front of them. Unlike a car or vehicle where seatbelts prevent people from going through windshields.

"Buses are built to withstand impact. It's the safest way to get a child to and from school. Safer than their parent driving or them walking," he said.

There have been unfortunate incidents where students have been seriously injured and killed. In April, a school bus in Brampton, Ont., was involved in an accident with a tractor-trailer, resulting in the death of one student and injuries to 11 others.

The accident took place on a highway, the two vehicles sideswiped each other.

Following the accident, Donna Cansfield, Ontario's transportation minister, said she would review the seatbelt policy for school buses.

Statistics have been released, supporting both sides of the story. On one side, children are protected by the high-back seats but in the event of a rollover accident students would be extremely vulnerable.

The Brampton accident is still being investigated as to whether seatbelts would have made a difference.

Thomas Maturski, assistant superintendent for Finance and Management Services at Williamsville Central School District, said the district follows the state law and recommendation by the state Education Department in regards to seat belt procedure.

"The safety concerns are not proven," he said, adding changing the seat belt policy would change boarding procedure and lengths for bus runs.

"That is not as important as the safety issue. If the state were to change the law we would follow it," he said.

Sweet Home Central School District, which has its own fleet, also does not require seat belts be worn.

"The buses are a very safe vehicle, even in an accident. They are made of steel and it's the car that is going to take the damage. I can't remember in 20 years having an injury on a school bus," said Director of Finance Thomas Miller.

Amherst Deputy Superintendent Paul Wietig said the district works with Laidlaw to set seatbelt requirements and echoed the opinion of Doherty.