17,000 School Children Hurt Annually in Bus-Related Accidents

About 17,000 children are injured in U.S. school bus accidents annually, according to a study in the November issue of Pediatrics.

The study, based on data collected from 2001 to 2003 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, found an annual rate of 21 injuries per 100,000 children age 19 and under. The injuries were most often due to vehicle crashes (42%) and mishaps as children got on and off the buses (24%).

Head injuries were most common in children age 9 and younger, accounting for about half of their injuries, while older children were most likely to suffer injuries to the lower extremities.

The authors said this is the first national study of nonfatal school bus-related injuries requiring hospital care, and finds these accidents to be much more common than previously reported.


Pediatrics article (Free abstract; full text requires subscription)

Associated Press story (Free)

I wonder what the rate is for firearms injuries?