Education on Proper Use of Seat Belts on School Buses
Source: NHTSA
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sponsored this project to understand how school districts that purchase large school buses with seat belts can maximize their effectiveness and benefit by improving proper usage. The project obtained observational data related to the impact of seat belts on student behavior on buses and on bus driver distraction. This report synthesizes anecdotal data collected from school districts across the United States. Through interviews, surveys, and material collected, the project team examined the common components of the seat belt use policies, such as how policies were carried out by school bus drivers, and consequences for non-compliance, to better understand the factors that can influence seat belt use. In general, the most important factors in successful planning seem to be training, education and enforcement. Most interview and survey respondents said they observed seat belts on school buses contributed to calmer and less distracted environments for school bus drivers. While the opinions about seat belts often varied from driver to driver, the project team heard from drivers and supervisors that those drivers who invested more time and effort into seat belts (e.g., by maintaining and enforcing a consistent seat belt use policy) derived the most benefit.
