Despite lack of seatbelts, school buses are still safe

The recent accident involving a school bus near Woodstock, Ont., that left five children injured will renew calls, in some quarters, for the instalment of seatbelts on school busses. According to Canada Safety Council and many experts, seatbelts would not make school buses safer as Transport Canada applies “40 safety standards to the design and construction of school buses made in and imported into Canada.” The council follows that “schools buses are not passenger vehicles … They are bigger, heavier, and sit higher” so they have a body-on frame design. The bus would have to be completely re-engineered with seatbelts integrated at the design stage. Research has shown lap belts could increase the risk of head injuries in a head-on collision. The child’s head could hit the seat in front, resulting in serious head and neck injuries. Combination lap and shoulder belts would require stiffer seats, which could increase injury to unbelted students. Moreover, the Canada Safety Council notes shoulder belts can lead to abdominal injuries because of “submarining,” when children slip down risking injuries to organs covered by the lap belts. Beyond the engineering problems, staff would be needed to ensure the seatbelts are used, adjusted properly between uses to fit children of different sizes and repaired when damaged. In an emergency, seatbelts could also hinder evacuation. Young children should not be placed in a situation where they are responsible for their safety, the council says.

Another issue worthy of consideration is not seatbelts, but reductions in school bus services. Without a bus, children are exposed to risk by walking to and from school or using other forms of transportation. Statistically the school bus is the safest way for children to get to and from school. According to Transport Canada, children are 16 times safer riding in a school bus on their way to and from school rather than in a passenger vehicle.

Emile Therien, Ottawa