School Bus Crash Caught on Camera

Published: Wed, October 03, 2007 - 2:42 pm
Short URL: http://wkrg.com/a/5645/
Prosecutors in Greene County, Arkansas have released surveillance video of a school bus crash hoping to drive home their belief that seat belts should be mandatory on school buses.
The driver of this particular bus hit a guard rail September 27 during her morning route. In the video, you can see students being tossed around the bus as it slams into a ditch.
Fortunately, no one was badly hurt. In fact, all of the kids were released from the hospital with minor injuries. But advocates of seat belts on school buses say this video is a perfect example of why kids need to be buckled up.
According to prosecutor Randy Philhours, one of the students is only four years old. He says it makes no sense that the little boy's parents are required by law to put him in a car seat, but he's allowed to ride a school bus unrestrained.

Newly released surveillance video of a school bus crash renews the debate -- should school buses have seat belts?

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I drive a school bus in Indiana.  I can understand the concerns that parents have with safety on a bus, but I hope you will consider this.  I feel that seatbelts are not a good idea.  They may help in automobile accidents, but buses are built to withstand crashes better than any other vehicle on the road.  A child is safer in a bus than any other ride to school, even mom’s car.  If seatbelt are required, not only would it be nearly impossible for the driver to ensure that every student wears it, but some students would hit others with them and my BIGGEST fear: Though serious crashes are rare in a bus, what if there is a serious crash and the bus catches on fire.  How much more difficult would it be to rescue children if they are stuck or unconcious in a seatbelt.  Teaching children the propor way to ride the bus: sitting up, facing front in their extra-padded seat, is the best safety we can provide.  Please research the data on bus crashes before you assume seatbelts are better.

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What does that have to do with seatbelt safety?

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u think your children r safe when u put them on the bus. i know thing happen. but these bus drivers have a hard job. keepin control of the bus to make sure everyone is safe that is on there. then u have your bullies that need to be taken off that dis-track the driver. then we wonder where did everyone go. pay them more and thing will look and do better.

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I have always said that seatbelts are needed on a school bus. This video is why I never allowed my children to ride one.

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