School bus injuries send 17,000 kids to ERs each year (AP/CNN)

[eppur_se_muova]

CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) -- New national data show school bus-related accidents send 17,000 U.S. children to emergency rooms each year, more than double the number in previous estimates that only included crashes.

Nearly one-fourth of the accidents occur when children are boarding or leaving school buses, while crashes account for 42 percent, the new research shows.

Slips and falls on buses, getting jostled when buses stop or turn suddenly, and injuries from roughhousing are among other ways kids get hurt on school buses, the data found. (Watch a busload of kids slam into the bus windows and walls during a rollover -- 1:20)

Injuries range from cuts and sprains to broken bones, but most are not life-threatening and don't require hospitalization. And while the numbers are higher than previously reported, they represent a small fraction of the 23.5 million children who travel on school buses nationwide each year, the researchers said.
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Safety belts, particularly lap-shoulder belts "could not only prevent injuries related to crashes," they could also keep kids seated "so they're not falling out of their seats when buses make normal turns or brake," said lead author Jennifer McGeehan, a researcher at Columbus Children's Hospital's Center for Injury Research and Policy in Columbus, Ohio.
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more: http://www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/11/06/school.bus.injuries.ap/index.html

[Atman]

1. This story sends 20,000 brains into a tizzy every year.

As long as I can remember, this story about school bus seat belts has resurfaced every year. And every year, the actual data seems to indicate that seat belts do nothing to increase safety in school busses. Someone's brother in Washington must own a schoolbus seatbelt retrofitting company. :shrug:

[Rosemary2205]

2. I have to say, even as an adult, buses are dangerous

back when I still used my legs and used the bus alot I can't tell you how many times I had to hang onto the rail on the seat in front of me for dear life. And the school buses used for transport at festivals and such don't have those grab bars. I was sliding all over the place and that's with my feet on the floor. I can't even imagine how difficult it is for a child who's feet can't reach the floor yet to stay in the seat.

Thanks for the article.

[happyslug]

3. School buses are NOT buses.

A bus must meet certain Federal requirements. School Buses do NOT meet those requirements for they are nothing but trucks with an extended cab.

Look at a true bus, little or no nose, so driver has a clear view of the area in front of his bus (This is true even of "over the Road" buses used as charters, through these buses the driver sits up higher then in inner-city buses. Modern Buses also "knee" to a degree to permit people on and off the bus.

A school bus has a long hood of the medium duty truck it is based on (Through some buses do have no hoods i.e flat fronts like real buses). The seats are design to hold two adults (and three children, and this ability to put three children in a seat is the main reason School districts oppose seat belts on School Buses). School buses are rigid frame that prohibits any adjustments for people who have problem getting on or off the bus.

School buses run about $58,0000 Used) (http://www.schoolbusfleet.com/index.cfm?action=classifieds&type=vsearch&vBrowse=all

Buses run over 1/2 mill each (For example this articulated Bus which cost $633,000 EACH. http://www.lightrailnow.org/). As you can see a HUGE difference in price, also a factor of ten.

[Little Star]

4. I drove School bus for eight years when my kids were young

Ask me anything. The lack of seat belts are the least of the real dangers we put our kids in while on a school bus. Besides the Little ones hit on each other enough and don't need another weapon, thank you very much. But I loved every minute of it and they all liked me right back. It was an enjoyable part time job and I got to drive my own kids to school on the bus. Sure saved on baby-sitting money.