A school bus accident in Barrow County, Georgia last week brings focus to questions about school bus safety. The collision occurred on an afternoon route when the bus was rear ended by a passenger vehicle. The driver of the passenger vehicle had to be extracted and was transported to a local hospital. Three children on the bus were also transported to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
For the parent of a child who rides a bus to school, reports like this can be unsettling. Each time there is an accident that injures a child, the discussion escalates about school bus safety. All 50 states have laws requiring children to be restrained in passenger autos but only New York, New Jersey and Florida have state laws requiring lap belts in school buses.
Seat belts may not be required but the National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA) endorses a designed safety feature called “compartmentalization.” Full-sized school buses are designed with high, thickly padded bench seats placed closely together. This creates a pocket designed to protect the passengers in the event of a collision. The NHTSA contends that compartmentalization is adequate protection for passengers.
When you put your child on a school bus, it is reasonable to expect that every person and organization involved has a responsibility for their safe transport and is doing their best. But, accidents happen and children do get hurt.
If you have a child who has been injured in a school bus accident, please contact the Atlanta, Georgia bus accident attorneys at Robbins & Associates, P.C. today to schedule your free initial consultation.
