어린이 통학버스 안전시트의 불법·비인증 사용 실태와 정책 부작위 분석: 법적 보호체계는 존재하지만 작동하지 않는 어린이 보호 정책의 구조적 한계

Purpose:This study examines whether existing regulations on child safety seats for school buses function as effective protection in practice, focusing on why illegal or non-certified restraint systems persist despite mandatory legal and certification frameworks. Methods:A qualitative policy analysis was conducted through a review of relevant laws, vehicle safety standards, and administrative guidelines, combined with recent survey data and school bus accident cases. The certification system and supply–distribution structure of compliant products were also analyzed. Results:Although legal and certification systems are established, field implementation remains uneven, particularly in terms of proper fit, certification verification, and ongoing management. Accident analyses indicate that safety outcomes depend more on implementation quality than on mere installation. Illegal or non-certified use largely results from limited access to certified products and weak distribution structures. Conclusions:The core failure of child safety seat policy lies not in the absence of regulation but in a policy structure that prevents existing rules from functioning as protection. Enhancing effectiveness requires administrative redesign linking certification, application standards, and support mechanisms.