Many people in Illinois rely on the bus system to get them from point A to Point B. Whether using the city’s public transportation system or sending your kids off for a day of education on a school bus, safety should be a priority.
Many of the exact causes of motor vehicle accidents can also lead to a school bus crash. Yet, public transportation has more passengers, often resulting in a more disastrous outcome. Of course, other motorists are also at risk if the bus driver is negligent or the school bus experiences a faulty part.
This post will review bus accident statistics in the United States, specifically in Illinois, and explain how the state ranks in bus safety.
School Bus Statistics
Approximately 484,000 yellow school buses transported the country’s children to and from school in the 2022 to 2023 school year [1]. This accounts for more than 25 million students who ride public school buses daily [2].
School bus accidents are among the most common truck crash types, followed by transit buses [3]. Other bus accident types may include cross-country intercity motor coaches or van-based buses.
Safety Laws Surrounding Buses
School buses are designed to be safe. In fact, school buses are one of the most regulated vehicles on the road. They have compartmentalization technologies designed to protect children in the event of a crash. Most states also have laws that require nearby traffic to stop while children are getting on or off a school bus.
City buses also have specific safety protocols in place to help prevent bus crashes. Illinois is one of about half of the U.S. states that allow buses to use bus stop-arm cameras. These cameras can record vehicles that ignore the stopping laws during loading and unloading, prompting the local government to send a fine.
Residents who violate Illinois school bus laws can expect to pay a $300 fine. Repeat offenses can lead to higher fines, the loss of a driver’s license, and increased insurance costs.
One of the most common causes of bus occupant injury is vehicle drivers ignoring these laws. A Southeastern Conference study asked bus drivers to report how many vehicles ignored these no-passing laws, finding that around 242,000 vehicles ignored these laws per day in the United States [4]. The study included input from school bus drivers nationwide, including Illinois [5].
Bus Accident Statistics – How Common Are Bus Injuries?
Even with strict laws meant to ensure bus safety, accidents can occur. As many as 15,000 bus accidents occur each year [3]. Of these, around 47% suffer injury, and 1.5% result in fatality [3]. Illinois is also among the top five states for bus accidents, ranking fifth [3]. The state reported 731 bus crashes in 2022.
School transportation vehicles involved in a crash often lead to injured occupants, either those on the school bus or those in a nearby vehicle. Around 17,000 children are treated yearly in a hospital emergency room for a school bus injury [6].
Bus Accident Injuries Statistics
School bus safety protocols and features, such as seat belts and padded seat backs, aim to minimize occupant injury. However, severe school bus accidents can still lead to injury to occupants.
Head injuries are among the most common in bus crashes for children under the age of 10. Of all school bus accident victims, strains and sprains are the most common [7]. Children between the ages of 10 and 14 ages were the most likely to suffer injuries that required medical follow-up [7].
It’s also important to note that children aren’t the only victims of school bus accidents. The bus driver is at a greater risk of injury during a crash. Additionally, other drivers and pedestrians are also at risk of injuries or death when involved in a collision. School bus accidents can be fatal to multiple parties, making them dangerous.
The Most Common Causes of School Bus Accidents
School and public bus crashes can occur for various reasons, with the following being some of the most common:
- Illegal passing: Illegal passing, when another vehicle passes the school bus when its stop signs or red lights are out, is a common cause of child injury. School bus passengers are most commonly injured when standing in the DEATH ZONE, which is the area directly surrounding the school bus [8].
- Seat belt malfunction or misuse: It’s estimated that seatbelt use influences as many as 42.3% of bus accident injuries [7]. However, research on school bus seatbelt use and functionality is limited.
- A lack of school bus supervision: Children on a school bus are often at an age where they may not correctly use seat belt restraints or stay seated in their seats—the driver or another adult is often responsible for supervising the children for safety.
- Distracted driving: The NHTSA estimates that as many as 289,310 people were killed in distracted driving accidents in 2023 [9]. Distracted driving presents risks for other vehicles on the road and children and passengers riding in public transportation.
- Weather conditions: Illinois is prone to severe weather, which can influence bus crashes, especially in the wintry or rainy seasons.
Fatal Crashes in School Buses in Illinois
Bus crashes can also kill occupants of buses and passenger vehicles. In 2023, the United States reported 14,939 bus accidents, 233 of which resulted in fatalities. So far, in 2024, there have already been over 7,200 bus accidents, with over 90 of them resulting in fatalities [11]. Illinois reported 687 of these bus accidents in 2023 and 402 so far in 2024. Of these, 11 people lost their lives in a bus accident in 2023, and seven have so far in 2024 [10].
Legal Options Following a Bus Accident
School buses are considered one of the safest vehicles on the roadway. However, driver negligence can lead to child injuries. Other pedestrians or passengers on the road may also be killed as a result.
If you or your child was injured while riding on an Illinois bus, you may have a legal right to compensation. A bus accident lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help investigate your claim and recover compensation for your damages. A bus accident case may be eligible for medical expenses, lost wages, and property damages.
Parents shouldn’t have to worry when dropping their children off at the bus stop. While we can’t remove the pain and suffering you and your family have had to endure, we can help you seek justice. Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today at (888) 424-5757 for a free consultation.
Resources: [1] NSC Injury Facts, [2] National Transportation Safety Board, [3] TruckInfo, [4] National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, [5] NASDPTS, [6] WorldMetrics Report 2024, [7] School Transportation News, [8] ISBE, [9] NHTSA, [10] United States Department of Transportation, [11] FMCSA