y concluded lap belts may increase the probability of serious injuries (CHPMCS 3-19) and available research thus did not produce a clear-cut result favorable to lap belt installations (CHPMCS 3-22). The study further concluded lap belts were (1) favored slightly in side impact accidents (3-23), (2) not credited with significant safety benefits in rear impact accidents (3-24), and (3) only logic favored belt use in rollover collisions to minimize the effects of tossing about and the potential ejection of passengers (3-25).
What the California report indicates is the failure of organizations such as CHPMCS to recognize that even the slightest favorable result due to the use of seat belts is sufficient to require their installation. Every favorable effect can mean a significant difference to a child and the parent of a child who is injured because seat belts were not available to save the child from the injury suffered. The arguments made by parents and teachers and other organizations who are concerned with the welfare of children in general oppose the lack of concern in reports such as that of the CHPMCS and other transportation "safety" associations.
Arguments in Support of Seat Belts on School Buses
By an apparently wide margin, parent, teacher, and other child-support groups all strongly advocate the installation of seat belts on school buses. The policy statement of the Coalition for Child Safety (CCC), a group of concerned citizens, largely parents, illustrate
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