By Jason Scheer
Sen. Charles Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) has sponsored legislation that would require all passengers on any school bus equipped with seat belts throughout New York State to utilize those safety belts.
According to the proposed legislation, operation of any school bus would be prohibited until all passengers were strapped in. The legislation would also call for signs on every school bus stating that New York State law requires the usage of seat belts while the bus is in operation.
Since 1987, New York State has required all school buses manufactured for use after July 1, 1987 to include seat belts. However, the decision to require whether or not students must use them is made by the school board of each individual district.
According to the New York State Education Department, only ten school districts on Long Island and 26 districts statewide have adopted a policy calling for the usage of seat belts on their school buses.
The legislation is currently before the Education Committee of the New York State Senate.
"School buses remain one of the most statistically-safe modes of travel and there is no need to doubt their safety," Fuschillo said. "But there is also no reason to limit how far we will go to protect our school children as they travel to and from school."
On April 26, students from Baldwin's St. Christpher's School were returning from a field trip to Medieval Times in New Jersey.
As the bus approached the Francis Lewis Boulevard exit heading eastbound on the Belt Parkway, driver Angelo Kalatoudis, 50, of Oceanside, lost control while negotiating the turn, according to police. As a result, the vehicle tipped over onto the driver's side, crushing the bus' exterior and flinging students who weren't wearing seat belts about the vehicle's interior.
One of the students on the bus that day said children in the aisle seats had been instructed to put their seat belts on by the driver and that a teacher on the trip told everyone to buckle up.
Unfortunately, not everyone listened as the same student remembers her classmates falling on top of her when the bus fell onto its side.
A representative from Atlantic Express Transport in Oceanside, the operator of the bus involved in the accident, said that buses are already equipped with seatbelts for all students. It's just a matter of legislation and discretion on the parts of individual school districts.
"We want kids to be as safe as possible and if there is enough support for [the legislation] of course we're going to do our part," she said.
Absent the change in legislation, she suggested parents inquire as to their individual school district's policy and voice concerns to administrators.
Ed Cigna is in charge of transportation for the Baldwin School District. He said that students are not currently required to buckle up. Cigna said he was in favor of passing the proposed legislation.
"If [the proposal] saves lives and protects children, we have an obligation to do everything we can," he said.
However, Cigna touted the importance of teaching students about seatbelt safety.
"When you get into a policy that requires behavioral changes, you're going to have to emphasize the reason why," he said.
He said that parents could serve as role models for such an initiative and set an example for their children.
Monsignor John Bennett, pastor of St. Christopher's Church, referred our call to the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Calls placed to the Diocese were not returned.
Comments or questions about this story? JScheer@liherald.com or 569-4000 ext. 282.
