Child Restraints and Other Vehicles

School Buses
Airplanes

Federal Standards for School Buses
Parents and others concerned with the lack of seat belts on school buses must remember that these vehicles are covered by standards separate, and much different, from those covering passenger cars. After a series of crash tests with different seating configurations and much study and debate, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a set of Federal standards targeting the safety of school buses that went into effect April 1, 1977. 

Among the three major federal standards that went into effect in 1977 was FMVSS 222, School Bus Passenger Seating and Crash Protection. Whereas passenger cars, light trucks and vans are required to have seat belts at all designated seating positions, FMVSS 222 does not require the installation of seat belts (other than for the driver) on new school buses with gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWRs) of greater than 10,000 pounds, the standard large school bus. Buses with GVWRs of 10,000 pounds or less are required to have seat belts for all passenger positions, but the larger buses rely on strong, well-padded, energy absorbing seats and higher seat backs to "compartmentalize" and protect passengers during a crash. 

Subsequent testing and case studies of school bus crashes have found compartmentalization to be effective in protecting school bus passengers in frontal crashes.

Research has shown that school buses are safer than other types of vehicles for school age children. at the same time, additional research has shown that pre-school age children in school buses are safest when transported in child restraint that meet FMVSS 213 and that are correctly installed in the school bus seats.

It is important to note, however, that the proper installation of child restraints requires that a school bus seat be equipped with seat belts, LATCH anchors, or some other means of installing the child restraint in the seat. NHTSA recommends that lap belts or anchorages designed to meet FMVSS 225, Tether Anchorages and Child Restraint Anchorage Systems, be voluntarily installed to secure CSRSs in large school buses.

NHTSA's recommendations for the transportation of pre-school age children in school buses are as follow:

When pre-school age children are transported in a school bus, NHTSA recommends these guidelines be followed:

1. Each child should be transported in a Child Safety Restraint System (suitable for the child's weight and age) that meets applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSSs).
2. Each child should be properly secured in the Child Safety Restraint System.
3. The Child Safety Restraint System should be properly secured to the school bus seat, using anchorages that meet FMVSSs..

For additional information about the transportation of preschool children on school buses, refer to "Special Needs Require Special Care: A Guide for the Transportation of Preschoolers and Children with Disabilities for North Carolina Public Schools - Transportation Policies, Guidelines, and Best Practices" produced bt the North Carolina Exceptional Children Transportation Manual Steering Committee.

For additional information about school bus safety, refer to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Transportation Services School Bus Safety Web.

Parents and others concerned with the lack of seat belts on school buses must remember that these vehicles are covered by standards separate, and much different, from those covering passenger cars. After a series of crash tests with different seating configurations and much study and debate, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a set of Federal standards targeting the safety of school buses that went into effect April 1, 1977. 

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Airplanes
Using a child restraint on board an airplane is the safest way for an infant or small child to fly. Most current infant-only and convertible child restraints have passed the testing criteria that allow them to be certified for use on aircraft. Recent changes to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations prohibit the use of any type of booster seat on board an airplane even if the booster is labeled as being certified for use on airplanes. Airlines are not required to allow the use of certified seats, however. You may have to purchase a ticket to assure a seat for a child under age two or travel on low-occupancy flights. Make arrangements in advance with the airline, and get written confirmation of their approval for use of your seat on the flight.

Following is child safety information and recommendations posted by the FAA:

Proper use of an approved child restraint system (CRS) on an aircraft enhances child safety in the event of an accident. A CRS also provides protection for a child during turbulence. The FAA strongly recommends that all children who fly regardless of Their age, use the appropriate restraint based on Their size and weight.

Before you fly
Check with the airline to find their busiest days and times. By avoiding these times you are more likely to be on a flight with an empty seat next to a parent. In many cases airlines will allow you to seat your child less than two years of age in a child restraint in the empty seat without having to pay the airline fare for the child. Ask your airline for its policy regarding an empty seat.

• Ask the airline if they offer a discounted fare for a child traveling in a CRS. If you buy a ticket (discounted or full fare) for your child, you are guaranteed that they will have a seat and that you will be able to use the CRS.
• if you purchase a ticket for your child, reserve adjoining seats. A CRS should be placed in a window seat so it will not block the escape path in an emergency. A CRS may not be placed an exit row.
• Check the width of your CRS. While airline seats vary in width, a CRS no wider than 16" should fit in most coach seats. A CRS wider than 16" is unlikely to fit. Even if the armrests are moved out of the way, a wide CRS will not fit properly into the frame of the aircraft seat.
• If you need to change planes to make a connecting flight, it can be very challenging to carry a CRS, a child, and other items through a busy airport. Most airlines will help parents make the connection. Request that the airline arrange for assistance in your connecting city.

Choosing the correct CRS
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding use of the CRS. Do not place a child in a CRS designed for a smaller child. Be sure that any shoulder straps in the CRS come out of the CRS seat back above the child's shoulders, tighten the aircraft seatbelt around the CRS as tightly as possible.

• Under 20 pounds - Use a rear facing child restraint.
• From 20 to 40 pounds - Use a forward facing child restraint. Although the safety technology of forward facing carriers in aircraft is still developing, current devices offer dramatic improvements in protection compared to lap held and/or unrestrained children.
• Over 40 pounds - A child over 40 pounds may safely use an aircraft seatbelt and does not require a CRS.

Reminder
Use an approved CRS when traveling to and from the airport by automobile. Booster seats and harness vests do not provide adequate protection in an aircraft, but they do enhance safety in automobiles. Many airlines do not allow the use of booster seats on their flights. These devices may be checked as baggage. In the United States, supplemental lap restraints, belly belts, are banned from use in automobiles and aircraft.

For more information call: 1-80O-FAA-SURE (1-800-322-7873)

Note: Always contact your air carrier / airline, before buying a ticket, to find out their policy on using personal approved child / infant restraint systems / seats.

For more information on the FAA policy on approved child restrain system / seats go to: FAA Advisory Circular 91-62A , Use of Child Seats in Aircraft

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