Church wants to transport kids.

la-ky-mama · Jan 16, 2014

Our church has "peoplemovers" which are 15 passenger minbuses. All seats have retractable lapbelts. A need has arisen to transport people (and their children, infants-preschoolers and beyond) who wish to attend church but need a way to get there. Can anybody tell me where I would need to start looking for info about legality and liability? Questions that come up in my head are... "What does proper/legal restraint look like in this type of vehicle?"
"What happens if a child is not properly restrained by their caregiver and the bus is in an accident?"
"Who is responsible for making sure children are properly restrained? Driver or parent?"
"Would it be a good/bad idea to have some restraints already onboard?"

Thanks in advance for any help!

ketchupqueen · Jan 17, 2014

Legality will depend on where you are. In some jurisdictions nothing is required on a church operated busdesigned to carry that many people. In others seatbelt use (yes, they'll have to use the lap belts) and child restraint laws will apply. In most of the latter the parent would be responsible if present and the driver if not but that does vary. Providing restraints is not likely a good move liability wise; requiring their use according to law would be.

Proper restraint would involve, ideally, retrofitting shoulder belts.

When you say retractible, do they lock? If not a belt shortening clip would be needed for car seats, and you can't expect a patent to know how to use those.

If this was my lability speaking, I wouldn't transport anyone under 18 on a bus with non locking lap belts, and those over 18 would have to be informed of the risks and sign agreement to ride. And I'd have really good insurance because I'd expect to get sued anyway if there was a crash.

And since that seems unfeasible, I'd not start the program until lap-shoulder belts could be put in.

la-ky-mama · Jan 17, 2014

Thanks! They are locking. I have successfully installed car seats in one. Where do I find out the legality info? Would that info be under the laws/regs page?