As adopted by Board of Directors June 11, 2002

A POSITION PAPER

Seat Restraint Systems on Full-Size School Buses

Definitions

For clarity and consistency, we have provided the following definitions as used in this document:

1) Lap belts: A one-point system of occupant restraint which makes use of two separate straps and a buckle which restrains the occupant across the lap or lower waist level from possible injury during a crash.

2) Compartmentalization: A current standard of occupant crash protection within a school

bus, required on school buses since 1977, which makes use of high-backed, well-padded, and well-constructed seats, to provide an excellent cocoon of safety protection for passengers.

3) Restraint Systems: Any occupant crash protection device which utilizes more than one point of restraint (ie: shoulder and lap belts combined, or a harness-type of restraint).

Our Opinion

As an Association we have a long history of strong advocacy for any regulatory or other measure that would definitively improve what is already the safest form of transportation in the nation, the school bus. The New Hampshire School Transportation Association would support seat restraint systems on school buses exceeding 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight if they are designed, tested,

and proven to be effective by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and are used in tandem with compartmentalization to protect riders, include a monitor riding aboard, and rules and regulations are utilized to assure constant and proper seat restraint usage. To date, we believe such restraint systems for school buses have not been approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration.

In early May 2002, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released its report on the use of passenger restraint systems on school buses after nearly four years of research on the subject. The Agency's report to Congress clearly indicated that requiring only lap belts on large, new school buses would have little, if any, benefit in reducing serious-to-fatal injuries in severe frontal crashes. In fact, the NHTSA specifically said that "...lap belts could increase the incidence of serious neck injuries and possibly abdominal injury among young passengers in severe frontal crashes."

The federal agency, in its report, also indicated that lap/shoulder belts, if used properly, could provide some benefit, but warns they could also cause serious neck and perhaps abdominal injury if misused, pointing out it would require 100 percent usage, and no misuse, to save one (1) life per year nationally. The agency further noted that the installation of lap/shoulder belts would increase capital costs by as much as $100 million, reduce seating capacities, and cause "other unintended consequences," including an increase in the number of children who might have to use alternative means of traveling to and from school. Said the agency: "Given that school buses are the safest way to and from school, even the smallest reduction in the number of bus riders could result in more children being killed or injured when using alternative forms of transportation." It also noted that states and districts that decide to require lap/shoulder belts on school buses "should ensure that no passengers are forced to find alternate means of transportation."