School Bus Safety: Sensors & Seat Belts Necessary

Sensors and Seat Belts Necessary for School Bus Safety | McKay Law

Table of Contents

Submit Your Case

In the state of Texas, there are approved seat belt laws for school bus safety. According to the new regulations, all buses manufactured after 2018 must-have 3-point seat belts. What took so long for our elected officials?

There is one additional safety element that all buses must have – a sensor.

Sensors have been a standard option on automobiles for since 2007.. They are situated at the corners and in the back of the vehicle. When the bus is within a few feet of an object– or when someone walks by – the sensors start ‘beeping,’ and then give a constant beep within a foot of collision. Bus drivers may rely on these since they assure that not only do they have enough room to maneuver, but they also let the bus driver know when they don’t.

A lawsuit in which a school bus driver let students off at a stop was recently settled. Unaware that one of the children had dropped his book, the child stooped down in front of the bus to grab it. The driver was unaware the child had stooped down in front of the bus and was inadvertently hit by the bus when it started up again.

School Bus Safety Sensors

A sensor should be required, not optional, in buses and vehicles that are intended and operated for continuous passenger loading and unloading. The purpose of sensor safety features is to keep passengers safe. It never assumes that humans are perfect or that the automobiles they drive are completely safe. A school bus safety feature is intended to avoid accidents – or to reduce injuries – in circumstances where we anticipate someone will do something or fail to do something – negligently or not – causing harm to someone or something.

School Bus Safety | McKay Law

School Bus Safety Seat Belts

Seat belts are required not because accidents do not occur, but because they do. The fact that it was ‘the other guy’s fault’ doesn’t make it any easier to swallow. We have seat belts because we wish to reduce injuries and/or avoid death, regardless of who is at blame. When our greatest efforts or other school bus safety measures fail to prevent an accident entirely, our lives are filled with efforts to mitigate the consequences of the tragedy.

Cost is a crucial factor in most risk vs. benefit analyses for school bus safety features. Sensors are inexpensive. This is especially true given the small size of many of the schoolchildren that move about the outsides of buses. When a safety measure can be added quickly and inexpensively and prevents significant injury or death, it should not be considered optional.

Because we as parents have not raised our voices loudly enough on this subject, sensors are not always required in every school district. We can, and should, do far better.

Avoiding School Bus Stop Accidents As A Driver

Studies conducted in cities across the country have found that over half of all school bus accidents are preventable. There are a handful of simple actions drivers can take to avoid causing a school bus accident while behind the wheel. Precautions include:

  • Putting down cell phones, makeup, food, etc. while driving
  • Obeying posted speed limits
  • Remaining vigilant at or approaching a bus stop (children are unpredictable and you never know when a child will dart across the street)
  • Allowing space between you and the bus so that children can safely enter and exit the vehicle

School Bus Safety For Parents & Students

In addition to taking precautions while driving, parents are also encouraged to talk to children about school bus safety. Students should be reminded of proper school bus etiquette including:

  • Never assume that a driver of a vehicle is paying attention
  • Looking both ways before crossing the street
  • Standing away from the curb while waiting for the bus
  • Walking at least 10 feet from the front of the bus before crossing the street
  • Never crossing the street from behind the bus

If you have not already done so, you should take the time to go over bus stop safety with your child. If you can make the time, walk your young children to and from the bus stop and wait with them until the bus arrives. Your child will be able to pick up on important safety precautions when walking with you.

Contact McKay Law For School Bus Accident Help

If you have a family member or loved one you believe has suffered an injury as a result of a school bus accident, contact McKay Law to review your case and learn if you have a viable cause of action against the school district, bus driver, school bus maker or insurance company.

Call (903) 999-2653 or submit your case for a free case review. You do not pay unless we win!!

Submit Your Case

About McKay Law

About McKay Law | Video Cover
Play Video about About McKay Law | Video Cover
Caleb Moore
Caleb Moore
Read More
This business does truly care about their clients and their needs! They have an amazing staff, and are one of the best places in the area for sure!
Amy Patterson
Amy Patterson
Read More
McKay Law and Attorney Lindsay McKay were extremely prompt with in helping me with my wreck! She is very knowledgeable of the law!
Alexandra Serrano
Alexandra Serrano
Read More
She, was very helpful she gonna fights for your right !!! Awesome lawyer and company’s 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Carmen Montoya
Carmen Montoya
Read More
Lindsey and her team were very professional! I am so thankful to have had them work on my case.
Jenny Wakeland
Jenny Wakeland
Read More
Mrs. McKay treats her employees well. She is knowledgeable, professional and trustworthy. She truly cares about her clients.
Cobbie Johnson
Cobbie Johnson
Read More
Very professional greatest law firm I’ve ever worked with.

Why McKay Law?

Lindsey McKay | Sulphur Springs Texas Personal Injury Lawyer | McKay Law – Legally Bold
McKay Law | Legally Bold | Personal Injury Lawyer

Passion For Justice – Compassion For Clients

Compassion. Confidence. Commitment.

20 +

20+ years of combined experience with of counsel addition.

Reasons to Hire
McKay Law

McKay Law | 2022 Sulphur Springs Personal Injury Lawyer
Play Video about McKay Law | 2022 Sulphur Springs Personal Injury Lawyer
VIP / White Glove Service | Reasons to Hire McKay Law

VIP / White Glove Service

We are Available 24/7 - We take care of our client’s needs – whatever they may be – and advise and instruct from beginning to end.

We Care | Reasons to Hire McKay Law

We Care

We hope to change your life and your situation and turn something tragic into something better. No issue is too tiny for us to consider or too big for us to tackle.

We Listen to Learn Your Story | Reasons to Hire McKay Law

We Listen to Learn Your Story

Injuries, pain, the stress of life, the case, finances – We want to know you and be the voice to tell your story for the best results.

Any Legal Issue | Reasons to Hire McKay Law

Any Legal Issue

We are legally bold to help you. If we can’t address, we know the best.

Fight For Best Results | Icon McKay Law

Fight For Best Results

We ensure we fight for the best results possible for your case.

No Fee Unless We Win | Reasons to Hire McKay Law

No Fee

Unless we win and also NO FEE for handling property damage.

Over 40 Years of Service | Reasons to Hire McKay Law

20+ Years of Combined Experience

We have a long line of success and a team that has worked together for decades and has perfected and streamlined the process; making something stressful and painful as seamless and easy as possible.

Dedicated Nurse to Guide You | McKay Law

Dedicated Nurse to Guide Medical Treatment

McKay Law has an in-house specialist guiding our personal injury clients on medical treatment. Read more about our Texas Nursing Board Certified Nurse and How We Assist.

McKay Law Client Reviews on Google

McKay Law's

PRACTICE AREAS

Free Consultation with Texas Personal Injury Lawyer

No Fees Unless We Win. We Listen To Our Clients.

Play Video about Free Consultation with Texas Personal Injury Lawyer | McKay Law

Lindsey McKay is a dedicated trial attorney with experience and drives to get the best results for her clients. We handle personal injury cases that involve the following matters: drunk driving accidents, nursing home negligence, uninsured or underinsured motorists, motor vehicle accidents, product liability, auto defects, animal bites, work-related injuries, medical negligence and fatalities.

Free Consultation 24/7

You may be owed money. 

Call our Personal Injury Lawyer now: (903) 465-8733 or use the form below. You can also calculate your total damages for settlements.