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Ask
Aubie appears on Wednesdays in the Opelika-Auburn News.
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Aubie encourages elementary school-age children to submit educational
questions to Auburn University’s tiger mascot Aubie. An
AU professor with knowledge in the related field is then tapped
to “help Aubie” answer the question. Questions may
be submitted to askaubie@auburn.edu. |
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QUESTION
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February
16, 2005
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Dear
Aubie,
If it is against the law not to wear a seat belt then why do
we not wear one when we ride on a school bus?
Owen Crook, age 6, Jeter Primary School
Madie Ruth Crook, age 4, Bright Beginnings
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| ANSWER |
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Helping
Aubie this week is:
Dr. Robert Thomas, professor of industrial and systems engineering
and program director of the Occupational Safety & Ergonomics
and Injury Prevention Programs, with AU's Samuel Ginn College
of Engineering.
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Dear
Owen and Madie Ruth,
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
and the National Academy of Science (NAS) have both researched
this issue. These organizations have concluded that a mandatory
requirement for seat belts on large school buses would provide
little, if any, added protection in a crash. They note that
school buses are heavier, experience less crash forces, and
distribute crash forces differently than do passenger cars
and light trucks. Because of this, the crash force experienced
by occupants of large buses is much less than that experienced
by occupants of passenger cars, light trucks or vans. Small
school buses, on the other hand (specifically, those with
gross vehicle ratings under 10,000 pounds) must be equipped
with lap or lap/shoulder belts at all designated positions.
Did you know that school bus transportation is one of the
safest forms of transportation in the United States? The NHTSA
requires all new school buses to meet safety requirements
over and above those applying to all other passenger vehicles.
These include requirements for improved emergency exits, roof
structure, seating and fuel systems, and bus body joint integrity.
These requirements help ensure that school buses are extremely
safe.
Rather than requiring seat belts, NHTSA decided that the best
way to provide crash protection to passengers is through a
concept called "compartmentalization." This requires
that the interior of large buses provides occupant protection
so that children are protected without the need to buckle-up.
Occupant crash protection is provided by a protective envelope
consisting of strong, closely-spaced seats that have energy-absorbing
seat backs. The effectiveness of compartmentalization has
been confirmed in many studies.
Federal regulations require the installation of seat belts
in motor vehicles based on the vehicle type and size. Because
the safety record of school buses is outstanding, and because
there is no compelling evidence to suggest that seat belts
would provide even higher levels of occupant protection in
crashes, the NHTSA believes that there is insufficient reason
for a Federal mandate for seat belts on large school buses.
Thanks
for your question,
Aubie and Dr. Thomas
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