Seat Belts on School Buses

To the Editor.— As a parent, I appreciate the editorial entitled "Bless the Seats and the Children: The Physician and the Legislative Process."1I agree that "it is now timely and palatable to encourage state legislatures to assert themselves further in the protection of older children and adults."1School bus safety is a key issue that needs to be addressed. Our legislatures need to be convinced of the importance of seat belts on school buses. Not only do seat belts on school buses reduce injuries and fatalities,2but they also provide an important educational benefit. Children who wear seat belts on school buses carry over this lasting life-saving habit to all vehicles. Almost 20 school districts nationwide now have seat belts on their buses. One such district, Greenburgh, NY, which has had seat belts since 1979, reports an 80% to 100% usage rate. Several medical societies have