Study says seat belts would make buses safer
Well, no shit!
Whenever this issue is raised locally (in the US), we are patiently told that it is just not possible.
So, here I am in Scandinavia, and every bus in the last three countries had lap seat belts on every seat.
I guess I'm just imagining things, since that is clearly not possible.
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I think that the arguement goes something like:
"It isn't possible because it will cost too much," which would be true unless they use the same lap belts as found in every automobile sold in this country. Then, the added cost to the bus would be tiny compared to settlements made after injuries in accidents.
"It isn't possible because the passenger to make sure that they have buckled the belts properly." Anyone who doesn't know how to buckle a seat belt that is in every automobile and aircraft they they have ever been in simply has too many other problems to worry about.
"It isn't possible because it would be an unfunded mandate to retrofit all the old busses." Well, grandfather in busses manufactured before the law goes into effect. Then, all new busses would have the belts, and as the old ones wear out, they'd be replaced with busses with belts.
"It isn't possible for some other stupid reason." Well, the reasons are pretty stupid.
I read the article.
According to the numbers given, a child has a .07% chance of going to the ER. Most of the trips were for what I would consider minor injuries that do not involve hospitalization.
This matches my childhood memories of riding school buses and never seeing anyone who required medical attention.
As a child, I always wore a seatbelt when I was in the front seat of a car. No questions asked. I saw the danger. However, I would never have used a seatbelt on a schoolbus unless forced.
Do we really want the drivers to be checking for seatbelt usage? How can they be certain the students don't unfasten the seatbelts at the first opportunity?
And this is a serious question. Elementary school can create emotional problems for kids who don't fit in. Do we really want to create a system where kids have to choose between being cool and being "safe"?
I do not doubt that seat belts would increase safety. I'm merely asking how safe do we need to be?