A CONCERNED GRANDMOM!

Car seats and booster seats are required by law whenever you transport a child, in a car, under the age of eight and the weight of 80 pounds. Why then, are not even seat belts required on school buses that carry children as young as five for kindergarten, or in the case of special services and private preschools as young as three?

Do you remember a couple of years ago when four teens were killed in Alabama and many others injured when a school bus went over the edge of a highway overpass and fell below to the street, flinging students out of their seats?

One main reason that school buses don't have seat belts is because it would limit the capacity of the bus. (Big Deal!) Many school districts expect three small children to share one seat, therefore requiring fewer buses. With seat belts, you are limited to two children per seat. (Not necessarily! Install three seat belts!) This may force the school district because of limited funds to extend the range of those who are not eligible for bus transportation, forcing students to walk or bike, and this may not only be an inconvenience but also a safety hazard. (I think they're missing the safety hazard point here...the lack of seat belts!)

Where do you stand on this issue? Should school buses have seat belts?



I found this article when I went to Google images. I read it through and it doesn't make sense to me. There should still be a law to use seat belts on school buses. Why can't they put three seat belts on one seat? One for each small child and if there will only be two older kids, let them just use 2 of the belts. No biggy! I rather see them in seat belts rather than flown from their seat to God only knows where on the bus in case of an accident. I don't like the fact that they haven't done anything about this concern yet! Buses have been around for a long time already. And as far as accidents, most of them, if not all have been pretty brutal. Maybe if we all get together and present our concerns, they may do something about this major topic... especially for parents, and grandparents.

Just wanted to vent!!