School Bus Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

New Jersey District to Require Lap-Shoulder Belts After Fatal Crash

The president of the Paramus Public Schools Board of Education says that every new bus the district buys will have three-point belts. The board also plans to get estimates on retrofitting its existing fleet with the belts.

Nicole Schlosser
Nicole SchlosserFormer Executive Editor
June 21, 2018
2 min to read


PARAMUS, N.J. — A school district here that had a school bus involved in a fatal crash in May is now planning to require lap-shoulder belts instead of lap-only belts on its school buses.

The Paramus Public Schools’ Board of Education voted on Monday to add three-point belts to an order of four buses it plans to purchase, at an additional cost of $5,300 a bus, according to NorthJersey.com. The board also plans to gather estimates to retrofit its bus fleet with lap-shoulder belts. The board president said at the meeting that every new bus that the district buys will have three-point belts, according to the news source.

The New Jersey School Boards Association told NorthJersey.com that the school district is likely the first to require the belts on its buses, going beyond state regulations. (New Jersey law requires lap-only belts, and the bus in the deadly crash on May 17 was reportedly equipped with lap-only belts.)

A student and a teacher were killed in the crash, and all 45 passengers aboard were injured, some seriously. The school bus driver who was involved in the crash, Hudy Muldrow Sr., has been charged with two counts of reckless vehicular homicide/death by auto.

The board of education’s vote comes as the state Assembly reviews Assembly Bill No. 4110, which would require three-point seat belts on all school buses. The bill passed the Assembly’s Transportation Committee on Monday. Assemblywoman Lisa Swain told the news source that in the wake of the crash “it is clear that our school bus safety standards must change.”

Also following the crash was a recommendation in May from the National Transportation Safety Board for states to mandate lap-shoulder belts, and for states such as New Jersey to upgrade their requirement for lap-only belts to lap-shoulder belts. That recommendation has spurred Congress to propose legislation that would require seat belts on school buses nationwide. U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) announce a bipartisan bill that calls for a new federal rulemaking on school bus seat belts.

More Safety

A compilation of 3 images showing a computer monitor, a person holding a smartphone, and a female on the phone
Sponsored•November 1, 2026

From Reactive to Proactive: Making Every Ride Visible

Smart technology only delivers its full value when it works together. See how Catalyst connects proven industry platforms to move student transportation from reactive to proactive.

Read More →
Vehicle dashboard display showing a “Caution: School Bus Stopped Ahead” warning from HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud system, designed to alert motorists to stopped school buses.
Safety•October 29, 2026

HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud Warns Motorists of Stopped School Buses

Through a transponder or Samsara connection, the product lets school bus fleets send advance warnings to approaching drivers through in-vehicle alerts.

Read More →
Four women participate in a council meeting around a wooden conference table, with one speaking while the others listen. Laptops, notebooks, and drinks sit on the table.
Safety•by News/Media Release•October 23, 2026

HopSkipDrive Reports Progress on Safety Advisory Council

More than a year after forming the council, independent safety experts have helped shape new rider-safety features and policy progress, with a new goal to address rider behavior.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
School Bus Fleet graphic showing students boarding a yellow school bus with the headline “Senate Recognized National School Bus Safety Month for 13th Year.”
Safety•by Elora Haynes•October 22, 2026

What the 2026 National School Bus Safety Month Resolution Means for Student Transportation

The bipartisan resolution highlights illegal school bus passing, student safety during loading and unloading, and the need for driver training and public education.

Read More →
Close-up of a stop-arm enforcement camera mounted on a yellow school bus, with the headline “When Enforcement Drives Safety” and the School Bus Fleet logo.
Safety•by Amanda Huggett•October 20, 2026

School Bus Stop-Arm Violations Decline 53% Across Verra Mobility Programs

Verra Mobility shares how school bus stop-arm cameras and school zone safety programs are changing driver behavior, reducing violations, and protecting students.

Read More →
Yellow school bus lying on its side after a rollover crash, with the headline “After the Crash” and subtitle “What to Do & What Matters Most,” alongside the School Bus Fleet logo.
Safety•October 20, 2026

Most Bus Crashes Aren’t Your Fault. Here’s How to Prove It.

A guide for what to do in between a school bus crash and a claim: what to preserve, who to notify, and how to keep the facts available when they matter.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
School Bus Fleet graphic showing a school bus safety inspection in the background, with the headline “2026 National School Bus Safety Week” in large orange and white lettering.
Safety•by Elora Haynes•October 19, 2026

National School Bus Safety Week 2026: Tips, Toolkits & Resources to Keep Students Safe

School bus safety takes more than awareness. Explore expert tips, enforcement strategies, and free resources to help protect students on every ride.

Read More →
Graphic showing a yellow school bus behind a shattered-glass effect with the text “Multi-Vehicle Crash in FL Takes 2 Lives” and the date October 5, 2026.
Safety•by Staff and News Reports•October 6, 2026

2 Killed, Dozens Injured in Florida School Bus Crash

A multi-vehicle collision caused a Polk County school bus carrying 37 students to overturn on its way to Winter Haven High School.

Read More →
Close-up of an extended red stop arm with flashing lights on the side of a yellow school bus.
Safety•by Elora Haynes•September 21, 2026

Illegal School Bus Passing Drops 24% in New York Districts

With fewer than 5% of citations involving repeat offenders, Westchester County officials said enforcement, education, and community partnerships are helping change driver behavior.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic showing a yellow school crossing sign and blurred school bus with the headline, “The Back-to-School Traffic Effect.”
Safety•by Amanda Huggett•September 18, 2026

School's Back. Here's What Happened to Traffic, Speeding & Distraction

What happens to traffic when school resumes? New data analysis examines changes in distracted driving, congestion, and speeding around schools.

Read More →