Back-to-School Peace of Mind: How Safe Are School Buses?
Are school buses safe? Learn about school bus safety, common risks, and back-to-school tips to help keep children safe on Connecticut roads.
Safety Tips
THE TRUTH ABOUT SCHOOL BUS SAFETY
(It's Safer Than You Think)
School bus safety has come a far away over the years. In fact, according to the National highway Traffic Safety Administration, riding a school bus is actually 70 times safer than riding in a car! Here’s why you can feel confident as those yellow buses roll out for the school year.
What Makes the Inside of A School Bus So Safe?
School buses are designed with safety at the core- and for good reason. They’re carrying our most precious cargo!
On this inside, buses use a unique safety system called compartmentalization. Instead of traditional seatbelts, buses are equipped with closely spaced, high-backed, energy-absorbing seats that create a protective cocoon around passengers. If a crash were to happen, the padded sears would absorb impact and keep children contained and safe.
The seats are also mounted higher off the ground, which keeps children above the main point of impact in most vehicle collisions. Even the flooring is made with impact-resistant materials to further reduce injury risk.
What Makes the Outside of a School Bus So Safe?
There’s a reason why buses are painted that familiar bright yellow – it’s one of the most visible colors in daylight and in low light conditions.
In addition to the bright yellow exterior color, buses are equipped with red flashing lights and a mechanical stop arm that swings out whenever students are boarding or exiting.
The size and weight also play a big role in safety. As large, heavy vehicles, buses absorb crash forces more effectively than smaller cars. And thanks to their taller design, the passenger area is elevated, reducing the chance of direct impact.
Maintenance & Inspections
Safety doesn’t stop at design. School buses are subject to strict state inspections and regular maintenance, ensuring that brakes, tires, lights, and other critical systems are always in top condition.
The Drivers Behind the Wheel
Last but certainly not lease, safety also depends on the drivers. School bus drivers undergo extensive training before they can operate a school bus. Each driver must have a commercial driver’s license with a special school bus endorsement. Background checks are performed as well as drug and alcohol screenings. This level of training is far beyond what the average motorist receives, making school bus drivers among the most prepared professionals on the road.
Bottom Line
From their engineering and inspections to the highly trained drivers behind the wheel, school buses are designed to keep students safe. As back-to-school season begins, parents can feel reassured that the ride to and from school is one of the safest parts of the day.
MCCOY & MCCOY LAW FIRM
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Established in the 1960, the law firm of McCoy & McCoy continues to provide residents of Connecticut with reliable, sympathetic, and efficient legal help in the areas of accident claims, personal injury, and wrongful deaths. With over 50+ years of combined experience, our team compromises Connecticut natives who have a passion for justice and the local communities we live in.
Few law firms that practice personal injury can truthfully state that 100% of efforts are allocated to cases involving serious injures. We understand these cases involve complex legal theories and that our clients face added obstacles created by catastrophic injuries through no fault of their own.
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