Iowa’s largest school district is launching a bus seatbelt study. Des Moines Public Schools transportation director Todd Liston says the district is getting two school buses outfitted with lap-shoulder belts for 65 passengers. The trial is being paid for by the Iowa Department of Education, school bus seat manufacturer SynTec and Thomas Bus Sales.
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Liston says tt costs about $8,000 per bus to add three belts to each seat. School bus accidents are relatively rare — primarily because their size, bright color and lights make them highly visible to other motorists. Injuries to students on buses are also rare.https://soundcloud.com/wnax-radio/liston-1031b
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One bus with seatbelts will begin transporting Des Moines kids on Monday (October 31), while the other bus is scheduled to arrive by December 1. Liston will report his findings to the manufacturers and the Iowa Department of Education through the end of the school year.