SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – For 40 years federal safety officials have said school buses are safe for riders without seat belts.
But now the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) has thrown its policy in reverse and is recommending lap and shoulder belts for all large school buses.
School buses are 40 times safer than the average family vehicle. There is one death for every half billion miles driven. However, the NHTSA believes even a small increase in the margin of safety is worth it.
"It concerned me when I was a child. I had to wear a seat belt in the car but get on a bus and, where are the seat belts at?" said Jennifer Edwards, who now is a mother to a 7-year-old.
Just four years ago the NHTSA rejected demands for seat belts in school buses. Now it is declaring seat belts save lives.
"Our goal is a three-point belt for every child on every bus," the administration's statement reads.
It's recommended for now, but mandates are possible later.
"And I hope everyone, including manufacturers, challenge themselves: Why aren't we doing everything we can to get that seat belt on that school bus?" said Mark Rosekind, NHTSA administrator.
Dennis Gregory, of Southfield P.S. Operations, supports belts but sees no money for them.
"It will me a massive undertaking," he said.
All existing seats would need replacement, costing up to $12,000 per bus. Belting could slow evacuation in the event of an accident or fire.
One size does not fit all children -- supplying boosters, sizing them properly, assisting little ones, would require not just money, but time.
"To enforce it the bus driver would have to walk through the bus, make sure every child is seated, and consequently we don't have the time at a bus stop to do that," said Gregory.