Physical Wellness

Seat Belts In School Buses Can Cut Yearly Death Rates By Half

By R. Siva Kumar | Update Date: Nov 11, 2015 09:04 AM EST

Right now, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is amending and adjusting its position on seat belts, endorsing three-point belts in students' school buses for the first time, according to HNGN.

Earlier, the NHTSA had argued that "retrofitting the buses to include seat belts" would make them too expensive,  as students were already well-protected by seat backs with cushions.

Still, evidence is clear that such a "protective envelope" of close seats and cushioned backs isn't always helpful. One month ago, a bus without seat belts turned over in Virginia and injured 28 students.

Hence, there are estimates that four children die every year in accidents of school buses. Seat belts fitted to them would reduce the number of deaths by half.

"It's this big void in our safety system," said NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind, according to CBS News.

However, schools don't really need to change their buses right away. At present, just six states---California, Texas, Florida, Louisiana, New York and New Jersey, need to be fitted with seat belts in their school buses.

Rosekind said that he was not giving out a new rule, but that his administration was launching a series of projects that will enhance the information on seat belt safety, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"Our goal is a three-point belt for every child on every bus," he said.

The costs are estimated to be between $7,300 and $10,300 per bus.

However, results are worth the expenses, he believes. "Seat belts save lives, and that includes seat belts on school buses," he said.

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