I've always heard that there are no seatbelts in the buses because the seats are 'above the level of impact' and that kids are safer without them. I don't know if this is true, but my dad is a bus driver, and that's what he says. He also says the driver has a seatbelt to ensure that if an accident does occur, someone is in the position to drive/steer the bus to safety.

also try controlling a bus that may be out of control if your not belted in!!!! i had to change lanes at 60 mph once on hwy 26 cause somebody stopped front of me .I went onto shoulder then he pullled off onto shoulder and i had to switch lanes again at 55 mph in other lane luckilly no traffic. if i didnt have seatbelt on there is no way i could have controlled the suv if i was flying aroundin the drivers seat.it all happened withen 10 seconds i would say. SCARY

i know there are not many bus accidents compared to cars also and have heard of the compartmentilized(and heavy padding) theroy too in child seat safety class. to be best effective also yould need lap AND shoulder belts to hold back upper body to keep from whiplasche. so just adding lap belts could almost be worse than none at all. also if you have just lap belt only and upper body weight flung foward you can rip right into internal organs with lap belt only. because technically if children under 4'9" foot 80 lbs to be put in a seatbelt would also require a booster seat for the belt to be posintioned properly. and up to age 8 which is alot of kids under 3rd grade. http://www.dot.state.wi.us/safety/vehicl...

there is so much to consider about their safety with belts as well as w/o belts

I never understood the whole "compartmentalized" idea. Once the child falls out of the seat, he/she is no longer in a compartment. Especially if the bus tips over.

However, sardines seem to remain secure when crammed together. Perhaps *that's* what those in charge are going for?