Group finds districts have "unique needs," does not mandate seat belts

COLUMBUS__On January 31, more than two dozen recommendations were issued by the Ohio School Bus Safety Working Group to enhance the safety of school bus travel in Ohio.

Governor DeWine created the working group in August, following the death of a Northwestern Local School District student who was killed in Clark County after another vehicle collided with his school bus. 

The report lists a total of 17 recommendations related to bus driver recruitment and retention; training and education; school bus safety features; road and traffic safety; emergency response; and commercial bus services. 

During its review, members of the working group found that the quality of annual bus driver training varies across the state and recommended that the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce develop a uniform curriculum. The group also recommended that the agency develop a regional advanced bus driver training program and work with the Ohio General Assembly to offer the training to school districts at no cost. 

Additional recommendations include improved access to professional development and wellness support for bus drivers; expanded public and parental engagement; school zone and bus route safety audits; and enhanced penalties for drivers of other vehicles who violate traffic laws in school zones or around school buses.

The group did not recommend that the state mandate seat belts for all school buses. Because hazards impacting school bus travel vary across school districts, all group members agreed that schools should have the flexibility to invest in seat belts or any other school bus safety equipment that best meet their unique needs. In addition to seat belts, the report outlined other safety options that districts could choose to consider. 

Acknowledging the expenses associated with school bus safety upgrades, the working group recommended that the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce engage the Ohio General Assembly to develop a grant program to offset these costs. 

In response to the recommendations in the report, Governor DeWine ordered the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Ohio Department of Public Safety, and Ohio Department of Transportation to address the state-level recommendations that do not require legislative change. He also announced his intent to begin discussions with the Ohio General Assembly on enhanced penalties for bus-related traffic violations and potential funding mechanisms for school bus safety equipment and advanced bus driver training.