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School bus collision tests | Compartmentalized kids
The tests conducted by Transport Canada featured crash test dummies being restrained in lap-only belts and then left unrestrained. The purpose was to measure the crash forces and the movement of the dummies to determine the probable severity of injuries in frontal crashes.
The tests revealed that the use of lap belts might actually result in more severe head and neck injuries in frontal collisions. Unbelted, the dummies moved forward during the collisions, hitting the seat in front with their necks, chest and head. The belted dummies tended to jack-knife and take the full collision force to the head alone. In other words, unbelted, the dummies absorbed the impact with their full body mass, not just the head and neck. The result was less severe injuries.
Collision testing was also conducted on rearward facing seating arrangements. Although lower injury measures were recorded, the risk reduction was not great enough to balance the disadvantages of reverse seating. Such seating creates discipline problems for drivers. Students also reported feeling ill while riding in a rear-facing position.
