UPDATE: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued an urgent call for Texas lawmakers and school districts to adopt enforceable seat belt policies on school buses. This recommendation follows a serious crash involving a Leander ISD bus on August 13, 2023, that left 16 children hospitalized.
The NTSB’s recommendation comes as part of an ongoing investigation into the bus crash that occurred on Nameless Road near Sandy Creek, shortly after the bus departed from Bagdad Elementary School. Investigators reported that the road was wet from rain at the time of the incident. Despite the bus being equipped with passenger lap and shoulder belts, as well as five-point child-restraint harnesses, video evidence revealed that only 6 out of 46 students were wearing seat belts during the crash.
The alarming footage showed that the bus crossed the double yellow line multiple times before veering off the road and rolling over. Following the crash, both the bus driver and the students were transported to local hospitals for treatment. The NTSB concluded that Leander ISD “did not take sufficient action to ensure passengers were properly belted.”
In light of these findings, the NTSB has demanded that Leander ISD implement strict enforceable policies requiring both drivers and students to utilize seat belts at all times. Furthermore, the agency has urged the state of Texas to enhance existing laws to include compliance checks, mandatory driver training, and stricter enforcement measures.
Texas law currently mandates the use of seat belts on school buses, yet the NTSB’s recommendations emphasize the need for more robust policies to ensure compliance. The NTSB has also reached out to three national school transportation organizations, urging them to disseminate information about the crash and advocate for improved seat belt protocols across the nation.
Authorities confirmed that the bus driver has been cited for failing to maintain a single lane and for violating safety belt regulations. However, no criminal charges have been filed. Following the incident, Leander ISD announced that the driver is no longer employed with the district.
The NTSB has granted recipients of these recommendations 30 days to respond, making it crucial for Texas officials and educational authorities to take immediate action. This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of passenger safety in school transportation, highlighting the need for stricter adherence to seat belt policies to protect young lives.
As this situation develops, stakeholders across Texas and beyond are urged to prioritize student safety and advocate for stronger measures to prevent future tragedies. The NTSB’s call to action is a vital step towards ensuring that every child has the protection they deserve while traveling to and from school.
