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Passenger Restraints Frequently Asked Questions


The purpose of this bulletin is to answer frequently asked questions regarding occupant protection in school buses, specifically passenger restraint systems (commonly referred to as lap/shoulder belts and child safety restraint systems [CSRS]). These are some of the most frequently asked questions in our industry.

  1. Will the school bus industry be required to retrofit their school buses with passenger restraint systems (lap/shoulder belts)?
  1. If only required on new buses, what percentage of California's fleet is currently passenger restraint system equipped?
  2. Is it allowable to retrofit our school buses with passenger restraint systems?
  3. Is it mandatory for passengers to wear the passenger restraint system?
  4. Are school bus drivers held liable if the students refuse to wear or take off the passenger restraint system while in route?
  5. How often should you provide instruction on proper usage and placement of the passenger restraint system?
  6. Do we need to provide instruction regarding passenger restraint system usage prior to departure on an activity trip?
  7. Should young mothers be transported in a school bus with an infant in arms if the bus is equipped with passenger restraint systems?
  8. Now that our buses are equipped with passenger restraint systems, what are the requirements relative to pre-trip inspections?
  9. Are drivers required to have seat belt cutters equipped in their bus? If so, where can we find documentation?.
  10. Do NHTSA recommendations carry the weight of the law when applied to student transportation?
  11. Are Lower Anchors and Tethers for Child Restraints (LATCH) required on school buses?.
  12. Are tether anchors required to be used on school buses and how would they be secured?
  13. What are the different types of child restraints?
  14. Can you use a child safety restraint system after a crash?
  15. What are the most common misuses in installing the child safety restraint system (CSRS)?
  16. Why is it difficult to correctly secure a child safety restraint system in a school bus equipped with the passenger restraint systems?
  17. Should our district buy new child safety restraint systems or use the ones the parents have?
  18. When trying to decide between purchasing a child safety restraint system, what are some considerations prior to purchase?
  19. Since the high back seats make it difficult to see the students, is seat height an option when writing new school bus specifications?
  20. Does having passenger restraint systems increase or decrease disciplinary problems?
  21. Does having passenger restraint systems on California school buses make them safer than a bus without passenger restraint systems?
  22. For a state that might be considering passenger restraint systems on school buses, what are some of the specific requirements that you feel should be included in the legislation?
  23. Do you consider passenger restraint systems to be more beneficial to student safety than compartmentalization?
Questions:   Anna Borges | aborges@cde.ca.gov | 916-375-7100
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, October 29, 2024
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