bus safety - no audi content

[Lee M. Levitt]

Last week a group of children from Newton, Massachusetts (my neighboring
town) took a school trip to Nova Scotia. The children ranged in ages from 10
to 13 years old.

On the way, in the middle of the night, the bus took an exit ramp perhaps a
bit too quickly and the bus rolled.

Four children died.

Our hearts go out to the families and friends of those children that lost
their lives, to our neighbors and friends who knew those kids and their
families. So young. So much ahead of them.

The children died because they were ejected from the bus and crushed by its
mass.

Because they were not wearing safety belts.

Because in 48 states in the US, safety belts are not required in school
buses. Or on school trips in tour buses.

Two states, New York and New Jersey, require two point safety belts in large
school buses. New Jersey mandates their use while New York leaves the choice
up to the local school district.

Three other states, Florida, Louisiana, and California, began the process of
requiring safety belts in large buses, but are stalled waiting for the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to complete a study of
occupant safety.

What is your state doing about safety belts in buses? Your school district?
Why aren't seatbelts installed in all new large school buses? pounds.

So what's the next step?

Talk with other parents, your school principal, your school board and your
local politicians about this issue. Forward a copy of this text to other
parents of school age children

Maybe through our efforts, next time the kids in the back of the bus will
just be bruised and scared. And their parents won't get that call in the
middle of the night that each of us dreads.

Thanks,

Lee
father of two school age children