Dr. Allan Horowitz, published newspaper article, The Liberal, Copyright 1987-1991


Now that our dear little children are all tucked away safely at school and we are adapting to life without the little darlings home all day it is time to discuss a topic which was first brought to my attention last spring. I thought about writing a few articles about it back then, but I then realized that the fall would be a better time to discuss school bus safety.

Are school buses safe? What type of glass is used in the windows? What type of seats are used, and why? Does your child’s school bus have seat belts? If not, why not? Have school buses changed at all from the time most adults went to school?

The next few weeks’ columns will discuss this all-important topic of school bus safety. As well, I willbe discussing some of the more important factors to remember when sending your child off on a school field trip.

Children might not be aware that they have to sit a certain way in a bus seat. They might not know about emergency exits. If an emergency does occur, your child should be prepared. This is all coming up in the next few columns.

But first…

Rarely has any series of columns provoked as much response from the public as my series on seat belt and car seat safety. I am still fielding questions from people who want information on seat belts and/or child restraint systems.

I want to refer all further questions to the real experts in this field. The Ministry of Transportation has a safety policy officer who is well acquainted with statistics, products, surveys and policies and she can give you all of the free advice you require regarding automobile safety. Her name is Donna Miller and she can be reached at 235-3619.

Before I leave you this week, I want to give you one last bit of advice. In the seat belt columns, I always emphasized that you should never allow any passenger into your car who doesn’t have a seat belt all to him/herself. I was criticized for this naivety.

It was brought to my attention that circumstances sometimes dictate that another, unexpected passenger might have to ride along in your car. If you go to Wonderland to pick up your child and her three friends and they have another friend who also wants a ride, but there is not a seat belt available, what is the proper thing to do?

Is it safer for her to ride without a seat belt, or is it better for her to walk home alone at midnight? Should you share a seat belt? Should she be strapped to the roof, placed in the trunk, run alongside the car or sit on the hood?

Here is what to do. Place three passengers in the back seat close together so they can share two seat belts. Cross the seat belts over each other across the laps of all three children and buckle them up as normal. Have the largest of all three children sit in the middle. It is not wise to have two children share one seat belt as this usually allows for an easier “bumping of heads” in an accident.

If this situation is not possible, or there is still another unexpected passenger who must ride in your car, have them sit on the floor in the back (behind the front seat).

This is not a safe place to sit unbuckled, but it is the safest in this situation. Keep in mind that in Ontario, both of the situations I have proposed are illegal, and will draw a substantial fine for the driver of the car when you are stopped by police, but you could just give an explanation of the emergency situation, the lack of alternatives and then show the officer this article.

You will still get the ticket but at least the officer will be impressed that you are concerned with your passengers’ safety. Won’t that make you feel better?

Allan Horowitz it a Richmond Hill chiropractor who writes columns about nutrition, back problems, and many other health questions. Address any questions or comments to him care of The Liberal, Box 390, Richmond Hill, L4C4Y6.