State directors home in on seat belt issues

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — State pupil transportation directors convened here to discuss issues of national concern, such as increasing school bus security and reducing emissions.

Several sessions at the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services’ (NASDPTS) annual conference were dedicated to discussion of seat belts on school buses.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recently released final rule deals with that topic, and agency officials — including Acting Administrator David Kelly — were on hand to explain the agency’s stances.

The conference program showed a push toward embracing lap-shoulder belts for large buses, with Indiana state director Pete Baxter, industry advocate Cal LeMon and former NASDPTS Executive Director Charlie Gauthier each giving speeches in support of adding the safety devices — and calling for funding to do so.

More coverage of the NASDPTS meeting will appear in the January issue of SCHOOL BUS FLEET magazine.