Why aren there seat belts in all school buses?
On school buses over 10,000 lbs, occupant protection is provided by “compartmentalization,” not safety belts. Compartmentalization is the name for the protective envelope created by strong, closely-spaced seats that have energy-absorbing high seat backs that protect occupants in the event of a crash. School buses also have other features that contribute to the high level of safety they provide each occupant. Features such as emergency exits, roof structure, fuel systems, and body joint strength make the bus stronger, larger, heavier, and safer than most other vehicles on the road today. Compartmentalization doesn’t require the student to do anything, like buckle a belt, to be effective. On school buses that have seatbelts installed students are required by law to wear their belt properly adjusted.
