The compelling case for seat belts on school buses.

The ability of seat belts to reduce injuries and fatalities in vehicular accidents has been established beyond question. Nevertheless, most school buses are not equipped with seat belts. The available evidence shows that seat belts would provide added safety for our children in school buses, just as they do in the family car. Moreover, the use of seat belts on school buses would foster a lifelong habit of seat belt use. By exerting their considerable influence in the community, physicians can contribute a great deal to the nationwide campaign to require the use of seat belts on school buses. If this campaign is successful, not only will our children ride their school buses in greater safety, but a whole generation of young Americans will learn a habit that is known to reduce drastically the number of tragic highway injuries and deaths.