Research suggests that school buses are safer with seat belts in them. A seat belt secures the child or passenger on the bus and also protects the body in a collision. In this essay, the issue focused on will be the importance of seat belts on school buses. Included will be examples of the cost associated with installing safety belts. Next, will be some examples of bus related accidents. Finally, how the seat belt can protect the passenger.
Since 2003, there were 348,253 fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes. Of those, 1,222 (0.33%) have been classified as school-transportation related according to the U.S Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety and Administration. There is no doubt seat belts save lives. Cars, trucks and buses get into accidents daily, across our country.
There are numerous reasons as to …show more content…
It would help to prevent serious injuries and it would also save lives. Since 2003 1,222 traffic accidents were classified as school transportation related. During 2001-2003 51,100 children were injured in bus accidents, an average of five children die each year from these accidents. One source states that equipping a school bus with a two-point lap belt can cost $1,500 to $3,000 per bus that equals $1.50 to $2.00 per child. Another source stated that equipping a school bus with the safeguard seat belt is less than $5.00 per year for each child. With more school buses equipped with seatbelts children and passengers will be secured in their seats. This will result in less injuries and most importantly fewer deaths each year. For these reasons seat belts would benefit the safety of children and passengers on school buses, it would also ease the anxiety of parents sending their children on buses. Installation of seat belts on school buses should be