As we come out the other side of the American Memorial Day holiday (Our remembrances to those fallen soldiers who have fought for all our freedoms, even ours here in Canada. Thank you to America), many school years are over or are about to end, releasing the kids to their parents and wreak terror in the house.
I know. A good reason for year-round school, am I right?
All kidding aside (well, some of it anyway), this is a time to think about next school year and hwow to keep your kids safe. The more recent trend lately has been for parents to drive their kids to school every day, rather than letting them ride the school bus.
Now, while there are some dangers and risks of bullying and other unsafe behaviors on a school bus, there is something to be said about the social dynamics on a school bus and how it can be a way to create some camaraderie, and at the same time flesh out the cliques among the general student body.
But there is a safety benefit to these vehicles as well, according to information from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The U.S. government agency has released an informational video making the case to parents that the best way to keep kids safe in transit to and from school, is by putting them on the school bus instead of driving them yourself.
The NTSB even claims that buses without seat belts are still safer for children than riding in passenger vehicles. While buses with some restraint system is preferable, the engineering of the buses make even older buses without seat belts more effective at protecting children in front- and rear-impact crashes. The compartmentalization of buses gives inconclusive information about side-impact crashes, but that engineering is what separates buses from other vehicles. And it is a passive feature, meaning that riders and drivers do not have to do anything to activate it.
In severe side-impact crashes, the NTSB says that lap-and-shoulder belts are preferred on buses over either lap or shoulder belts, but in most cases it sticks with the idea of safety falls on any school bus over any passenger vehicle.
So if you are looking to ensure more safety for your kids next school year, maybe check out the video and decide for yourself if the school bus is feasible and possible as a transportation option for your schoolkids.
If they’re so safe, maybe you can consider renting one for your next family vacation. Call it a summer field trip, maybe?