FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 19, 2021
CONTACT: Pete Daniels / pdaniels@saferoads.org / 301-442-2249 (C)
Statement on National School Bus Safety Week (October 18-22)
During National School Bus Safety Week (October 18-22), Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) is calling on Congress to make the vehicles upon which many rely for their children’s commute to and from school and after-school activities safer. The School Bus Safety Act (S. 2539 / H.R. 3381) would require practical safety systems on new buses to ensure our most precious passengers are better protected.
Cathy Chase, President, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety: “Three-point seat belts for all occupants, automatic emergency braking (AEB), electronic stability control (ESC) and improved fire prevention are all recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to improve school bus safety. Advocates applauds Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Reps. Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Albio Sires (D-NJ) for turning these vital improvements into legislation to help keep children safe as they travel to and from school and after-school functions. Additionally, Advocates supports requirements for occupant detection and alert technology on school buses to protect unattended child passengers from heatstroke and other dangers. This National School Bus Safety Week, we urge Congress and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to advance and implement these needed upgrades. With each passing day, children are at unnecessary risk while proven solutions are at hand.”
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Senior Member, U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: “The School Bus Safety Act I re-introduced in May with Congressman Albio Sires of New Jersey and Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois is commonsense safety legislation. The NTSB has made it clear that seatbelts on school buses will save lives. Other measures are needed to assure that the precious children carried in school buses reach their schools and get back home safely. It is long overdue reform. During this year’s National School Bus Safety Week, I urge my colleagues to support these critically needed child passenger safety proposals.”
Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ), Senior Member, U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: “As a former public school teacher, I know that protecting the health and safety of our children is of the highest importance. Congress must pass this commonsense legislation to implement measures that will improve the safety of school buses and could save children’s lives.”
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety is an alliance of consumer, medical, public health, law enforcement, and safety groups and insurance companies and agents working together to improve road safety in the U.S. Advocates’ mission is the adoption of federal and state laws, policies and programs that prevent motor vehicle crashes, save lives, reduce injuries, and contain costs.
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