Student Ejected From School Bus Might Have Had Lived If Bus Had Seat Belts
A recent school bus accident in Florida resulted in the death of a student who was ejected from the school bus upon impact with a tree. According to news sources, the high school junior suffered severe injuries which proved fatal a day after the horrifying accident.
Over the years, we have often heard the refrain “buckle up for safety” when it comes to car accidents. However, when it comes to seat belts, there is an ongoing debate. Only two states, namely New York and New Jersey, require seat belts on public school buses. Last year 17 states introduced seat belt bills for school buses. However, none of them passed. The National Coalition for Seat Belts on School Buses lists the following reasons why school buses should have seat belts.
1. If a crash occurs the use of seat belts will reduce the probability of death and severe injuries to children seated in the school bus.
2. Seat belt usage improves passenger behavior and reduces bus driver distraction.
3. Seat belts offer protection against injuries in rollover or side impact crashes and ejection.
4. Seat belt usage in school buses reinforces good safety habits.
5. The cost to install seat belts is nominal.
According to NHTSA, seat belts are of no value in the majority of fatal accidents. This tragic case of ejection which took the life of a high school junior clearly indicates “buckle up for safety” should not be just limited to automobiles.
The Philadelphia car accident and school bus accident law firm of Reiff & Bily is committed to consumer safety and representing the rights of the catastrophically injured.
