I did, once, see an article that described the decision to not install seat belts in school buses (probably about 40 years ago): The kids won’t wear them anyway; the driver cannot be expected to enforce wearing them; Buses would need to be retrofitted with better fastener points because the existing floor isn’t tough enough, the seats would also probably come loose in an accident, making it safer for the kids to be thrown in the same direction… AND it would cost a lot. They had also run some kind of crash test with a standard school bus in order to come up with the information about how cardboard-like school buses are.
All public buses in Korea have seat belts and there are laws enforcing them. If you are injured in an accident and you weren’t wearing the belt, it’s all on you, along with a fine.
WHAT ?!? Interfere with the functioning of the free market over such petty concerns as safety? My gawd, man when did you turn into a pinko socialist? You must be shot and your children sent away!!
Whatever happened to the good old days when the big three was fighting safety by crying expense over padded dashes and a lap belt all refused to wear? They almost won then the insurance industry stepped in. They cried safety because of money. Always the money.
It’s been a while since I’ve been on a school bus, but I recall it being a LOT better then when I was in school. (long long ago in a galaxy far far away)The seats had better padding on the top and over the back side so your head wouldn’t hit a metal grab bar. Given that school bus’s have to transport Kindergartners to High Schoolers, I don’t know if you could provide seatbelts and shoulder harnesses that would work for all sizes. But I do seem to recall see the newer ones coming with belts. I doubt that the seats would come loose, unless the legs are very rusty and brittle and it was a high speed impact, since they are bolted to the floor. Most School districts have tight budgets, but safety is paramount, since lawsuits are expensive. And unless it’s on a school trip most buses run on city/suburban streets which keeps the speed down.And finally since buses are bigger then most cars, and the seats are higher then in most calls, I’d say the cars would lose in a accident.
Ah corporate capitalism at work. It’s cheaper to settle lawsuits than have to finance a recall or upgrade/redesign the technology we use. Their answer to everything when it comes to saving lives.
Concretionist over 4 years ago
I did, once, see an article that described the decision to not install seat belts in school buses (probably about 40 years ago): The kids won’t wear them anyway; the driver cannot be expected to enforce wearing them; Buses would need to be retrofitted with better fastener points because the existing floor isn’t tough enough, the seats would also probably come loose in an accident, making it safer for the kids to be thrown in the same direction… AND it would cost a lot. They had also run some kind of crash test with a standard school bus in order to come up with the information about how cardboard-like school buses are.
Patjade over 4 years ago
All public buses in Korea have seat belts and there are laws enforcing them. If you are injured in an accident and you weren’t wearing the belt, it’s all on you, along with a fine.
jbrobo Premium Member over 4 years ago
Over the summer we took a bus tour of Ireland. We all wore seatbelts. I guess some didn’t but I did. It’s a habit.
Darsan54 Premium Member over 4 years ago
WHAT ?!? Interfere with the functioning of the free market over such petty concerns as safety? My gawd, man when did you turn into a pinko socialist? You must be shot and your children sent away!!
Pontiac Mick over 4 years ago
Whatever happened to the good old days when the big three was fighting safety by crying expense over padded dashes and a lap belt all refused to wear? They almost won then the insurance industry stepped in. They cried safety because of money. Always the money.
Alberta Oil Premium Member over 4 years ago
Different pockets.. makes a difference.
twclix over 4 years ago
Wait. What?
Kelley is calling for more regulation????
Huh?
Kelley, aren’t regulations for idiot socialists who try to tell us what to do and infringe on our freedoms?
mauser7 over 4 years ago
It’s been a while since I’ve been on a school bus, but I recall it being a LOT better then when I was in school. (long long ago in a galaxy far far away)The seats had better padding on the top and over the back side so your head wouldn’t hit a metal grab bar. Given that school bus’s have to transport Kindergartners to High Schoolers, I don’t know if you could provide seatbelts and shoulder harnesses that would work for all sizes. But I do seem to recall see the newer ones coming with belts. I doubt that the seats would come loose, unless the legs are very rusty and brittle and it was a high speed impact, since they are bolted to the floor. Most School districts have tight budgets, but safety is paramount, since lawsuits are expensive. And unless it’s on a school trip most buses run on city/suburban streets which keeps the speed down.And finally since buses are bigger then most cars, and the seats are higher then in most calls, I’d say the cars would lose in a accident.
shamest Premium Member over 4 years ago
If we can have airplanes with safety belts enforce tour buses can too.
streetbeater over 4 years ago
Look at SKelley, advocating for government regulation. Welcome (briefly, I’m sure) to the left side of the aisle.
BubbleTape Premium Member over 4 years ago
Steve pushing the nanny-state.
jhayesd31 over 4 years ago
New Shortage Grips Kelly’s Psyche. Apparently nothing else happen in North America that was news worthy.
ndblackirish97 over 4 years ago
Ah corporate capitalism at work. It’s cheaper to settle lawsuits than have to finance a recall or upgrade/redesign the technology we use. Their answer to everything when it comes to saving lives.