News 14 Carolina - Political Connections

Funding for school buses...

So, I covered the U.S. Transportation Secretaries announcement Monday in Morrisville. She basically proposed to require seat belts on the short buses and offered up money for the first time to put seat belts on big buses.

Two problems. The federal funding is not new and would have to be diverted from other safety programs (i.e. booze it or loose it and click it or ticket). The other problem is convicing people that spending the money is necessary. Statistics show school buses are already the safest way for children to get to and from school.

Seat belts add $10,000 to the sticker price for each new bus.

Lawmakers would essentially have to approve the idea here in North Carolina. The rules proposed on the federal level still need the go ahead from transportation panels in DC.

Either way it's an interesting debate. The announcement was made here in NC because 14 buses are being studied safety with belts already.