Minnesota Is the Latest State to Introduce a Bill Requiring Seat Belts in All New School Buses – Pennsylvania School Bus Accident Attorney Weighs In
As an experienced Philadelphia school bus accident lawyer, I have been closely following the national seat belt debate with regard to students on school buses. Personally, I have been an advocate for seat belt requirements on school buses. However, the school bus industry and its lobbyists state that in a rollover situation or an extreme emergency, i.e. fire or collision, the driver would be challenged to unfasten 40 to 50 seat belts and claim that seat belts do more damage than good. The school bus industry alleges that school buses are created with enhanced structures for protection including high seat backs and cushions to protect students on impact.
A currently proposed Minnesota statute would require school buses purchased after December 31, 2010 to be equipped with approved three point lap/shoulder belts in each passenger seating position. All students would also be required to use the seat belts unless the school district received notification from the child’s parent or guardian. The statute further notes that in case of wrongful death lawsuits no school district, school bus driver, school personnel, or volunteer could be found liable for failing to assist the student with adjusting, fastening, or unfastening a seat belt on the bus.
I will be curious to follow this debate, as well as debates of other states where such proposals have been initiated. Personally, I believe that all school buses should be required to have seat belts when they carry our precious cargo.
