Lap Belt Safety Is Questioned

W A S H I N G T O N, May 3 -- Lap belts do not improve passenger safety on school buses and instead can put riders at high risk of severe or fatal neck injury, according to a new report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The findings are expected to lead to a change in federal recommendations on school bus passenger restraint systems.

ABCNEWS obtained a copy of the draft report on school bus safety and seatbelts, which was based on years of research and extensive crash tests. The findings will be formally presented to Congress.

Only Three States Require Lap Belts

The issue of seat belts on school buses has been hotly debated for decades.

New York, New Jersey and Florida require lap belts on all newly purchased school buses and the federal government requires them on the smallest of school buses (those under 10,000 pounds). They are the only kind of seat belt currently found on school buses.

Experts say NHTSA's report is likely to force states to re-evaluate their policies.

"I think those states are going to have to seriously reconsider what they currently require," says Charles Gauthier, executive director of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services.

ABCNEWS has learned that based on the study, the federal government will move away from lap-only belts on the smallest school buses. NHTSA is expected to recommend that lap/shoulder belts be required on these vehicles.

A Question of Costs

The government test found that lap/shoulder belts, which are mandatory in cars, could benefit school children by reducing head injuries and by substantially reducing neck injuries.

"Lap/shoulder belts have proven to be the best technology for every other kind of motor vehicles," says Gauthier. "Why wouldn't it be the best for a school bus also?"

However, the government is not expected to recommend lap/shoulder belts for larger school buses.

Part of the reason is cost.

By law, though, the government must consider the cost of a new regulation.