The thought of a single school bus driver keeping an eye both on the road and their passengers scares many parents.
Data published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) suggests that kids who ride to school on busses are safer than ones who ride in cars, though. You may find it interesting to learn how the federal agency reached such a conclusion.
How common are school bus crashes?
NHTSA researchers combed the crash records for almost 350,000 fatal crashes between 2004 and 2013 for a study published in 2014. Only 1,214 of the total accidents (roughly 134 annually), involved a vehicle that typically transports students.
Who were the victims of these accidents?
The crash reports showed that at least 21% of those motorists who die in school bus crashes were either pedestrians or bicyclists. That same data also showed that only 8% of these crash victims were the school bus passengers themselves. Passenger car operators are often the individuals with the highest injury rates when school bus accidents occur.
Why do safety analysts argue kids are safer on busses than cars?
The NHTSA contends that kids are safest when riding to school on busses instead of in cars. They point to the data that they compiled from 2004 to justify their position. While there were 327 child fatalities involving school buses that year, only 54 of the children who died were riding on the bus when the incident occurred. Most of the kids who passed away were riding in a passenger car at the time of their death.
No matter how a vehicular accident occurs, the victims of a negligent driver have a right to expect compensation for their injuries and losses. If you or your loved one suffered injuries in a wreck with a bus or any other vehicle, seek guidance from an experienced advocate.
