Higher Seats, Not Belts, Urged on School Buses

WASHINGTON —  A federal rule requiring seat belts on school buses is not justified by the potential benefits, the National Research Council said today.

Less costly and of more benefit to children would be a federal requirement that the minimum height of school bus seat backs be raised to 24 inches from the current 20 inches, said the council, an arm of the National Academy of Sciences.

Further, because children would benefit from the higher seat backs only when seated, all 50 states should adopt laws prohibiting standing on school buses, the council said.

Some states allow school buses to carry more children than there are seats, it said.

“Although the death or injury of any child transported by school bus is a cause for concern, the safety record of school buses is good considering the amount of travel involved,” the council said.

The study was requested by Congress in 1987.

On average, 12 children a year are killed and 480 are seriously injured while riding on school buses, the council found.

Another 38 children a year are killed while trying to board or leave a bus, the council said. It recommended better training for bus drivers.

The council also said the government should consider requiring more emergency exits on larger buses and safer fuel systems in case of a bus fire after an accident.