Question Class trip - WWYD

newyorkDOC · May 30, 2013

DD has a class trip on Wednesday. They are taking a greyhound type bus. She's 4.

The rental company says there are seat belts. I don't know if they're lap belts or 3-pt.

Should I insist on her using a car seat? I can install her TWE (FF) no problem. She would most definitely be the only kid in a car seat.

Other option is to drive her. But it's far... Like 45 min I'd say. And I can't stay with them as a chaperone bc I've got a meeting for work at lunchtime.

AZmamaof2 · May 31, 2013

Is it possible to call back to the Greyhound provider to get a better seatbelt description and express your concerns?

Do greyhound buses have latch systems to install car seats?

It's probably safer overall than a car would be due to sheer size, but it would still make me nervous. Hope you and your daughter can enjoy the day whatever you decide!

cantabdad · May 31, 2013

There is nothing magical about "4 and 40" (4 yrs/40 lbs) but when I've been in similar field-trip situations with my daughters, I've installed carseats on the bus when they were under that benchmark. Over that benchmark, I've installed carseats when I could, but I have been willing to let them go on the bus with whatever seatbelts may or may not be present.

Buses with lap-shoulder belts are somewhat uncommon (I think I've encountered one just once in my travels), but they are becoming more widespread, and might be more common if you are in Europe.

The carseat installations that I've done on buses have been with lap-only belts, and they were tricky because of bulky, forward-of-bight seatbelt buckles, but ultimately it was doable.

Motorcoach transportation is incredibly safe overall. I just ran some quick stats, so don't quote me on the exact figures, but in the US the fatality rate for motorcoach occupants is something like 0.01 per 100 million passenger-miles of travel, versus about 0.80 for 100MM PMT for occupants of light-duty vehicles (cars and trucks).

In short, I'd probably install the carseat if the school will support you with that (and of course they should) and it works logistically for you to do so, otherwise I personally would let her go as-is.