School buses used for camps w/ kids under 6 exempt from seat belts and child restraints?

tentoes

New member
I've gotten 3 calls already from moms sending their kids to a local camp- about how the big yellow school bus used for trips has no seat belts (and no way to secure car seats). Kids are all age 6 and under. Edit: state of FL

I can't seem to find any info about school buses in regard to camps. Anyone have info?
 
Last edited:
ADS

Dillipop

Well-known member
How under 6?

Big yellow school buses are designed to work with kids 40lbs and up. Most kinder aged kids will fit fine.

Some states require preschoolers under 40 to use a harness and others there's no minimum to riding without. What state are you in?


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tentoes

New member
Ages 3-6. I know they're safer than standard vehicles, but there's no seat belts at all. State of FL.
 

Dillipop

Well-known member
Florida just barely raise the age of having to use a child restraint in a CAR to like age 5. And proper restraint includes a seatbelt for age 4 and 5. And it doesn't count if the person driving isn't the parent. And buses are exempt.

So yeah. Florida has crappy child restraint laws.

If parents are concerned, they can always contact the group transporting their children and fight for different circumstances. Just because it's legal to do what they're doing, I enough parents complain, maybe they'll fix things and make it safer.


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bnsnyde

New member
I am so happy to hear the parents are concerned!
Here some of the park districts use VANS with NO CARSEATS OR BOOSTERS for ages 3-6, and nobody is concerned. It's not illegal here.

Buses I love and I feel they are safe.
For the small buses, I do have my 4 YO use an EZ On Harness. He is 50 lbs.
My 5 YO though rode a big bus all year to school.

The only thing I wasn't thrilled with was my new 2 YO took a trip on a big bus for camp. No belts or I would have installed a seat. They went to a local small amusement park for kids close to home.
 

tentoes

New member
Sadly, the camp director doesn't understand the issue :( The parents aren't giving up yet.

I just don't get how the younger ones are supposed to sit correctly for the ride with nothing. They wiggle around, get up on their knees to look out the window, talk to their friend a few seats down etc. Definitely not optimal position at all (which is the only way the compartmentalization and 'buses are different' argument works).
 

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