Researchers at the University of Iowa have found school buses to be among the safest form of road transportation in their state.

Assistant professor of community and behavioral health at the University of Iowa College of Public Health, Jingzhen Yang, Ph.D, was one of several people to examine the incidence of school bus crashes, as reported in a study published in the March issue of the injury prevention journal "Analysis and Prevention."

Yang, who was the lead author of the study, says, "We discovered school buses in Iowa experience low crash rates and very few crashes result in injuries."

According to Yang's research, there were roughly 14 non-fatal injuries and less than one fatality per 100 million bus miles traveled. In comparison with vehicle crash injury and fatality rates, overall, bus-related fatalities were more than three times less likely to occur, and injuries were more than five times less likely.

The research team also noted that passenger cars were more likely to be the cause of crashes with school buses, and that the drivers and passengers of cars and trucks were more likely to be injured in a collision with a bus, especially if the drivers were young drivers – between 15 and 18 years old.