Optional safety features offered by school bus manufacturers are described. These include design changes, automated crossing arms, convex mirrors, strobe lights, and sound warning devices. (TE)

Describes school bus safety products currently on the market, such as motion-sensing alarms, automatic breaking shields, front-mounted crossing gates, and strobe lights. Gives price information and evaluates products' usefulness and necessity. (MLH)

Discusses methods to use in avoiding future bus hijackings; focuses specifically on radio communications systems. (IRT)

School buses approach individual custom design when all the options and accessories have been chosen. Available options and accessories are listed. (Author/MLF)

The apparent lack of concern school boards evidenced in the past over school bus safety has precipitated the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regulations that have angered board members and bus manufacturers alike. It is argued that the new regulations are not based on research. (Author/IRT)

Safety belts are not installed in school buses for several reasons. School buses are constructed differently from automobiles in terms of (1) the locations of doors and instrument panels relative to passengers, (2) outer construction, (3) seat design and padding, and (4) visibility on the road. Under current regulations, bus seats are constructed…

School boards can substantially minimize school bus fires with recently improved fire-resistant materials. Tests comparing fires in buses without resistant materials with fires controllable by protective materials demonstrate that manufacturers should be urged to improve materials. Materials would not prevent fires, but they would buy time to…

The introductory article to the special issue on pupil transportation summarizes the arguments of opponents and proponents of seat belts in school buses. (MLF)

Only two school districts in the entire country require mandatory school bus seat belts. Bus manufacturers favor "compartmentalization"--a set spacing of high-backed padded seats. Two well-documented school bus accidents, where seat belts were not used, are examined. (MLF)

Existing school bus safety standards make the whole vehicle safe and are more effective than seat belts in preventing passenger injuries. (MLF)

The deterrent to school bus accidents is preparedness. Training programs for drivers and mechanics, equipment specifications, and a community support base are some of the ways to prevent tragedy. (MLF)

More children are killed outside their school buses than inside. To solve this problem, we should improve bus design, provide driver training programs for all school bus drivers, utilize the latest safety devices available, and improve ridership safety curriculum. (MLF)

Arguments for and against the installation of seat belts in school buses are discussed. (DF)

Lists several safety features for school buses and their approximate costs. School districts often miss out on these features if they operate under a low-bid-takes-all purchasing system. (Author/WM)