Seat Belts on the School Bus: Should Federal Law Require Them?
School Bus Fleet wants reader input about this critical safety issue. Is compartmentalization enough? Should federal government mandate seat belts aboard school buses?

Respond to our poll on this school bus safety topic and share your thoughts.
Image: Canva
School Bus Fleet has reported about seat belts and concerns for student safety aboard the school bus recently. In case you missed them:
A fatal ejection during a school bus accident in Ohio has leaders there considering seat belts and other safety concerns.
SBF Executive Editor Wes Platt offered a roundup of seat-belt legislation and rules in the United States.
But we also want to hear from our readers about where you stand when it comes to this issue.
Are lap-and-shoulder belts a welcome addition or a potential nuisance? Do they help or hinder? Several states make seat belts a requirement, even if they don't always fund those mandates or enforce them once funded. Should seat belts be required on a federal level? Take this quick poll and share your thoughts! Feel free to comment on this post, too. Thanks for your feedback.
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