After fatal crash, lawmakers mull seat belt requirement
Some Tennessee lawmakers are considering a seat belt mandate for new school buses following a recent collision that killed two children and a bus aide. Legislators are reviewing research and looking into the cost.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Some state lawmakers are questioning whether seat belts should be mandated on school buses following a collision here between two school buses that killed two children and a bus aide about two weeks ago, WBIR reports.
Republican Knoxville state Rep. Harry Brooks told the news outlet Democratic state Rep. Joe Armstrong drafted and plans to propose legislation that would require new buses be equipped with seat belts, according to the news outlet. Brooks added he supports using seat belts on buses after looking at the research, but many legislators are waiting to hear if the research clearly shows the practice is safer.
Tennessee legislators have considered seat belt restraints on school buses before, but a requirement did not pass, Republican state Rep. Bill Dunn told the news outlet. He added that legislators will also have to look into the cost of equipping school buses with seat belts.
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