Booster Seat in School Bus?

mrswh

New member
I know that school buses are the safest mode of transportation out there. That is, the big yellow buses. My DD(6)'s school uses a short, white bus. (It's an actual school bus, not a van.) For her first field trip this year, they all used booster seats on the bus. Now they are saying that booster seats are not required by law so they won't be using them. The teacher is driving the bus. She is licensed to drive a bus but doesn't drive it daily - just on occasional field trips over the years.

For my DD's next field trip (which involves 40 miles of Interstate), there are 2 options. Send her on the school bus (remember, not a big yellow one!), or send her with another parent. (There is only one other parent driving because not all the kids will fit on the bus.) If I send her with the other parent I can theoretically put her in her Frontier in the parent's car . . . but how do I know the other parent won't decide she needs more room and just stick my DD (41 lbs., 45") in a regular booster? I see parents do this all the time.

Anyway, I think I am leaning toward the school bus but wondered - if the bus has lap and shoulder belt, does DD need a booster or is she worse off with one? So confused. :confused:

An insight would be much appreciated!! :)
 
ADS

MomToEliEm

Moderator
Have you verified that the bus has lap and shoulder belts? The few short buses my kids have used here either had lapbelts only or no restraint at all.
 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
With lap and shoulder belts she'd be fine with one, but she'd be fine without as well. A school bus with lap and shoulder belts is nearly as safe as road travel can get. The booster would help keep the lap belt down, and take some of the forces, but it would raise her up and maybe cause impact with the seat in front if the head excursion is too much. So there are benefits and drawbacks to each.

Wendy
 

mrswh

New member
With lap and shoulder belts she'd be fine with one, but she'd be fine without as well. A school bus with lap and shoulder belts is nearly as safe as road travel can get. The booster would help keep the lap belt down, and take some of the forces, but it would raise her up and maybe cause impact with the seat in front if the head excursion is too much. So there are benefits and drawbacks to each.

Wendy

Thanks, Wendy. I was kind of thinking it was a toss up. But is it really as safe to be in a little white school bus as a big yellow one?
 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
Not quite. But still safer than most cars.

Generally the lap-shoulder belts on small school buses are designed to fit smaller occupants (from 5-6 years or so on) very well, and as long as they fit there's no danger to using them without boosters.
 

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Forum statistics

Threads
219,656
Messages
2,196,896
Members
13,530
Latest member
onehitko860

You must read your carseat and vehicle owner’s manual and understand any relevant state laws. These are the rules you must follow to restrain your children safely. All opinions at Car-Seat.Org are those of the individual author for informational purposes only, and do not necessarily reflect any policy or position of Carseat Media LLC. Car-Seat.Org makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis. If you are unsure about information provided to you, please visit a local certified technician. Before posting or using our website you must read and agree to our TERMS.

Graco is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Britax is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Nuna Baby is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org!

Please  Support Car-Seat.Org  with your purchases of infant, convertible, combination and boosters seats from our premier sponsors above.
Shop travel systems, strollers and baby gear from Britax, Chicco, Clek, Combi, Evenflo, First Years, Graco, Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, Safety 1st, Diono & more! ©2001-2022 Carseat Media LLC

Top