Child Restraints and School Buses

updated 04-03-06

Federal Standards for School Buses
Parents and others concerned with the lack of seat belts on school buses must remember that these vehicles are covered by standards separate, and much different, from those covering passenger cars. Whereas passenger cars, light trucks and vans are required to have seat belts at all designated seating positions, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 222, "School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection," does not require the installation of seat belts (other than for the driver) on new school buses with gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWRs) of greater than 10,000 pounds, the standard large school bus. Buses with GVWRs of 10,000 pounds or less are required to have seat belts for all passenger positions, but the larger buses rely on strong, well-padded, energy absorbing seats and higher seat backs to "compartmentalize" and protect passengers during a crash. Subsequent testing and case studies of school bus crashes have found compartmentalization to be effective in protecting school bus passengers in frontal crashes.

Research has shown that school buses are safer than other types of vehicles for school age children. At the same time, additional research has shown that pre-school age children in school buses are safest when transported in child restraints that meet FMVSS 213 and that are correctly installed in the school bus seats.

It is important to note, however, that the proper installation of child restraints requires that a school bus seat be equipped with seat belts, LATCH anchors, or some other means of installing the child restraint in the school bus seat. NHTSA recommends that lap belts or anchorages designed to meet FMVSS 225, Tether Anchorages and Child Restraint Anchorage Systems, be voluntarily installed to secure child restraints in large school buses.

There are restraints for children that can be used without seat belts being installed. Integrated child restraints and seat belts are built into the school bus seat and "cam-wrap" restraints can be installed using a strap that wraps around the back of the school bus seats. If cam-wrap restraints are used, the entire seat directly behind the child in the cam-wrap-mounted restraint must be unoccupied or be occupied by restrained occupants.

NHTSA's recommendations for the transportation of pre-school age children in school buses are as follows:

When pre-school age children are transported in a school bus, NHTSA recommends these guidelines be followed:

(1) Each child should be transported in a Child Safety Restraint System (suitable for the child's weight and age) that meets applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSSs).

(2) Each child should be properly secured in the Child Safety Restraint System.

(3) The Child Safety Restraint System should be properly secured to the school bus seat, using anchorages that meet FMVSSs.

Additional NHTSA recommendations and information can be found through the School Bus section of the NHTSA web site.

For additional information about the transportation of preschool children on school buses, refer to "Special Needs Require Special Care: A Guide for the Transportation of Preschoolers and Children with Disabilities for North Carolina Public Schools - Transportation Policies, Guidelines, and Best Practices" produced by the North Carolina Exceptional Children Transportation Manual Steering Committee.

For additional information about school bus safety, refer to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Transportation Services School Bus Safety Web.

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