loose bus harnesses- overly worried?

christineka

New member
My ds2 is supposed to start riding the bus tomorrow morning to and from special ed preschool. I finally got to go see the bus just now. The bus has built-in harnesses. They auto-tighten with a strap at the shoulder. I sat my ds in one and tightened him up. Then all the kids got on the bus. The driver and aid buckled up all the kids. They all wore their poofy coats (Driver believes that's safer because it adds padding.) and were loosely harnessed. Back packs are always removed. I didn't want to have to drive ds to and from school, but I don't want him loosely harnessed! I can just not send him with a coat- if the kids don't have to go play outside. (I should check.) I can get on the bus in the morning to ensure he's properly harnessed, but not for the trip home. The chances of a bus accident are really low, so maybe I should just let it all go and let ds be loosely harnessed. I don't know! Should I let him ride the bus?
 
ADS

DaniannieB

Ambassador - CPS Technician
IMO loosely harnessed could be just as bad as or worse than no harness at all. Can you talk to whomever's in charge of the buses about the risks and liability of using the harnesses incorrectly? If they won't listen to you, perhaps they would listen to a local CPST-I or another CPST who's had bus training?
 

keri1292

Well-known member
The driver and aid buckled up all the kids. They all wore their poofy coats (Driver believes that's safer because it adds padding.)

Didn't you tell him that you were a CPST and that it was not safe? I'd also explain compression and show him how loose the straps are when the coat is removed. Just throw that out there and make all the kids safer. :)
 

christineka

New member
Didn't you tell him that you were a CPST and that it was not safe? I'd also explain compression and show him how loose the straps are when the coat is removed. Just throw that out there and make all the kids safer. :)

Yes, but she also thinks I'm just an overprotective mom. In her opinion, she's right and I'm wrong.
 

safeinthecar

Moderator - CPS Technician
You can only protect your own kid. Send him in a safe-for-carseats jacket, and ask if you can send a flyer home to the other parents about the issue.
 

flipper68

Senior Community Member
You can only protect your own kid. Send him in a safe-for-carseats jacket, and ask if you can send a flyer home to the other parents about the issue.

If you live in cold weather land, put his heavy coat in the backpack and MAKE SURE his teachers know he's not supposed to wear it on the bus.

I would contact your school's director/coordinator or Vice Principal of special education (or whoever you are working with to get your DC started in school). Repeat what the driver said and ask who to contact about this misinformed driver. Potential injury, liability, etc. are big concerns for most schools. They don't want to knowingly do anything that puts kids at risk. . .lawsuits are expensive.
 

christineka

New member
If you live in cold weather land, put his heavy coat in the backpack and MAKE SURE his teachers know he's not supposed to wear it on the bus.

Again, these ladies don't harness properly even without the coat! I checked with the school and the kids do not play outside in winter, so imo there is no need for a coat anyway. I will be driving ds to and from school and contacting the bus company once I can collect some more information.
 

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