In 1977, Federal standards of higher backed, padded seats and improved bus structure were a step toward safer buses, and have indeed reduced fatalities, but thousands of injuries to children in bus crashes continue to occur every year. These injuries occur as students strike the roof, windows, seatbacks, and other students. In addition to collisions and rollovers, passengers are injured during sudden stops and turns and while hanging out of windows. It is clear that seat belts will hold passengers in seats during stops, turns, and evasive maneuvers, thus protecting them. Children belted in place also have difficulty sticking their heads and arms out of windows.
Compartmentalization is the most effective in the head-on collision.
According to witness reports, the children noticed the driver was having problems getting the bus stopped, so they all stood up to see what was wrong. They were out of the 'compartment' and bounced around the bus when the collision occurred. This one crash utilized all the medical and emergency resources in the entire community and tied up traffic for hours. According to medical personnel, it is probable that the majority of these injuries would not have occurred, had the passengers been restrained. The liability question is one that is always raised by school districts considering requiring belts on school buses.