The following is an excerpt of an article that appeared in the Summer 2006 issue of MOVE magazine. To order a back copy of this issue or to subscribe contact AAMVA at (703) 522-4200.
By Lauren DeAngelis
The first school “buses” used to transport students in the beginning of the twentieth century were nothing more than horse-drawn carts borrowed from local farmers. Later, with the development of gasoline-powered engines, came the school “wagon” and then the school “truck.”
In 1939, representatives from 48 states gathered to further refine school buses by developing safety standards. Soon enough, the federal government weighed in with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 and the School Bus Safety Amendments of 1974. These defined even more safety standards covering a range of components.
Though some safety issues, like the inclusion of seat belts on buses, are still highly disputed, no one’s debating that school bus safety remains a priority on the national agenda. Safety advocates, industry leaders and federal agencies are continually trying to decide what enhancements will most effectively save lives and prevent injuries on those daily rides to school.
The complete story is available through MOVE. Sign up for your subscription today.
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Jurisdictions, federal agencies and other organizations take different approaches to improving school bus safety.
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