The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS), an organization comprised of state government school transportation leaders from all 50 states, recently issued an updated position paper on lap-shoulder belts and a new paper on the use of buckle guards. Find the papers, summarized below, under Resources at www.nasdpts.org.
NASDPTS Policy on Lap-Shoulder Belts on School Buses
NASDPTS expresses full support for requiring installation and use of lap-shoulder belts on all school buses in the organization’s latest position paper on this topic, as well as establishing policies on mandatory belt use and training for employees and students. NASDPTS states that properly used lap-shoulder belts provide the best occupant protection, supplementing existing compartmentalization, and are particularly important in rollover and side-impact crashes.
Citing NHTSA and NTSB, NASDPTS estimates that universal belt installation and proper use could prevent approximately 1,898 injuries and 2.13 fatalities each year. The position paper emphasizes that, in addition to mandatory-use and training policies, consistent enforcement and evacuation drills are essential for effective belt use.
NASDPTS also notes that the cost to equip a school bus with lap-shoulder belts nowadays is reasonable. In addition, modern belt systems preserve bus capacity, can improve student behavior and driver attentiveness, and may increase parental confidence in school transportation. Although some claim that belts could hinder emergency evacuation, NASDPTS notes that the evidence shows lap-shoulder belts aid the evacuation process.
The paper is specific to new school buses; NASDPTS cautions against retrofitting existing buses unless the manufacturer has been consulted because structural incompatibilities could create safety risks or void warranties.
NASDPTS has also posted a separate background paper outlining the evolution of lap-shoulder belts on school buses. Find both papers under Resources at www.nasdpts.org.
NASDPTS Policy on the Buckle Guards
In a new position paper, NASDPTS discourages the general use of buckle guards, the aftermarket products placed over a seat belt’s buckle to prevent an occupant from unbuckling the belt.
NASDPTS cites the 2025 National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures Manual, a set of nationwide voluntary standards, as saying that these aftermarket devices should not be used because they may alter the function of belts, straps, or securements.
The paper also lists five NHTSA interpretations of standards, each of which cautions against using buckle guards for reasons that include that they may hinder rapid buckle release in emergencies, interfere with the belt’s ability to absorb crash force, and pose flammability concerns.
The paper also stresses that each child’s specific needs, and any formalized Individualized Education Program, must be considered. If a student tends to unbuckle at inappropriate times, behavior management techniques should be tried before considering buckle guards. See page 3 for a related resource that lists safety approaches in order of least restrictive environment.