Do some school bus drivers need their passengers (or someone else) to remind them to buckle up? Recent incidents of un-belted drivers falling out of their seat show the need for managers to regularly monitor their drivers’ seat belt use — and to enforce penalties for not complying.

Over the years, the National Transportation Safety Board has become the gold standard for safety recommendations that should be taken to heart, and the agency’s vice chairman, Christopher Hart, is among its best keepers of the flame. There was much to be learned from his excellent presentation at the NAPT Summit in Memphis, Tenn., in October.

State pupil transportation directors discuss their states’ school bus specs and procedures that stand out, from fluorescent driver seat belts to buffer zones at the back of the bus.

As the prevalence of lap-shoulder belts in buses grows, it is important for operations to consider the type of students they are transporting and the ability to upgrade to meet future safety standards before selecting a belt system.

On David Strickland’s watch, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has publicly supported the safety record of the yellow bus and has launched a campaign to promote ridership. In an exclusive interview with SBF, the administrator discusses these topics and reaffirms the agency’s decision to not mandate seat belts on large school buses.

The question of whether to install seat belts on large school buses has been an emotional, contentious issue for a very long time. School bus professionals with a particular interest in this issue should not miss NTSB Vice Chairman Christopher Hart’s presentation at the NAPT Summit in Memphis, Tenn., this October. When he talks, everyone should be listening carefully.

In October, the remaining provisions of NHTSA’s final rule on school bus occupant protection go into effect. Here, seat belt manufacturers discuss the changes.