MENU
SEARCHIowa is the 23rd state to allow the Gardian Angel safety lighting system as optional equipment.
Iowa is the 23rd state to allow the Gardian Angel safety lighting system as optional equipment. Photo courtesy Gardian Angel
The Gardian Angel safety lighting system is now allowed for use on school buses in Iowa.
The system, created by former school bus mechanic Steve Gardner, uses a white LED flood light at the front of the bus to illuminate the path for students to cross the street and to make the students more visible to motorists.
Iowa is the 23rd state to allow the lighting system as optional school bus equipment. In June, Illinois became the 22nd state to approve the lighting system.
The Gardian Angel light automatically turns on when the red lights are activated and turns off when the entrance door of the bus is closed.
Iowa’s decision to approve the lighting system comes after the State Board of Education adopted a new rule to require lap-shoulder belts on all new school buses ordered by state school districts and state-accredited non-public schools as of Oct. 2. The requirement also extends to other safety equipment, such as one additional stop arm per bus, hand rails, exterior boarding lights, and fire-resistant crash barriers between the front bus seat and the bus driver, on new school buses.
For more information about the Gardian Angel lighting system, go here.
The new data shows 99.99% incident-free trips and strong on-time performance, reinforcing how dependable transportation, especially for vulnerable student populations, can help districts combat chronic absenteeism.
Read More →
Driver shortages, safety expectations, and staffing limits define student transportation in 2026. New survey data shows how fleet leaders are responding.
Read More →
The federal agency's report asks NHTSA to require all new school buses to be equipped with vehicle-integrated alcohol detection systems and passenger lap-shoulder belts.
Read More →
Student transportation teams are being asked to do more with less, facing driver shortages, rising costs, and increasing safety expectations. This report uncovers how fleets are adapting, where technology is making the biggest impact, and why student ridership tracking is emerging as a top priority. Download the report to explore the key trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for your operation.
Read More →
A Carroll County accident claimed the lives of two students and injured over a dozen others on a March 27 field trip for eighth graders at Clarksville-Montgomery County. A preliminary report adds new information to the story.
Read More →
From driver shortage solutions in Tennessee and rural connectivity debates in Utah to new safety laws in Wisconsin and ongoing electric bus mandate discussions in New York and Connecticut, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
Waymo’s self-driving vehicles are under fire again after repeated school bus passing violations, raising questions about safety, remote operators, and regulation.
Read More →
Distracted driving continues to pose serious risks in school zones, with new data and driver insights highlighting ongoing concerns and potential solutions to improve student and roadway safety.
Read More →
A former airline pilot has stepped into a new role at the independent federal agency, but where does he stand on issues like seat belts on school buses? Here’s what he’s said.
Read More →
Two recent close calls at railroad crossings, a train clipping a bus and a rear-end crash, highlight why vigilance and training still matter. Here’s what happened and what to tell your own drivers.
Read More →
