Legislation requiring seat belts on school buses in Illinois passed the House Transportation Vehicles and Safety Committee, on Wednesday, March 8, 2017. It now moves to the full House of Representatives. House Bill 3377 sponsored by Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) requires 3-point seat belts on school buses. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) supports 3-point seat belts in school buses.
“Nothing is more important than the lives and safety of our children,” said Secretary of State Jesse White. “I served with Rep. Lang in the House and appreciate his commitment to this issue over the years. With improvements in the technology of seat belts, along with NHTSA’s recommendation, now is the time to pass legislation pushing for a significant change in protecting our children on school buses.”
In late 2015, NHTSA endorsed seat belts on school buses due, in large part, to improved technology with 3-point safety belts. Up until that endorsement, Federal and State safety organizations have largely remained neutral on the seat belt issue. They expressed concerns on whether 2-point lap seat belts improved the overall safety of a child riding a school bus. However, 3-point safety belts better protect children–due to their ability to diffuse the forceful and sudden movement the body sustains, during a crash over the chest, waist and shoulder areas.
Six states–California, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Louisiana and Texas–have passed laws requiring seat belts in school buses.
Illinois is a National leader in school bus safety. In order to drive a school bus in Illinois, a person must obtain a special school bus permit, which is more involved than obtaining a typical CDL. An applicant must possess a valid Driver’s License that has not been revoked or suspended for at least three years prior to application. He/She must pass written and road school bus driver permit exams and must submit to and pass an Illinois-specific FBI criminal background check. The school bus permit must be renewed each year and requires an annual refresher classroom training course. The applicant must pass an annual physical examination, which includes drug testing.