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Safety Task Force doesn’t recommend mandatory seat belts on BC school buses

The provincial government is electing to take a back seat when it comes to seatbelts on school buses.

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Transportation issued a statement to Vista Radio noting the School Bus Safety Task Force is not recommending mandatory installation of seatbelts on school buses.

Transport Canada, in partnership with the governments of B.C. and Ontario, conducted pilot projects between 2020 and 2023 in three school districts, including B.C.’s Nanaimo-Ladysmith and Fraser-Cascade.

The pilots studied ways to increase safety on school buses, including the use of seatbelts.

After the pilots ended, the School Bus Safety Task Force worked closely with the school districts involved to produce a consolidated findings report, which was released on the Council of Ministers website on in February of this year.

The statement also read that school buses are considered one of the safest vehicles on the road based on their unique design characteristics, which may not be present in motorcoaches.

These include high-padded impact cushioning seatbacks, seats placed close together that also have strong anchorages, emergency exits, traffic control devices, and enhanced body strength requirements.

Transport Canada stated that “As of 2018, students are about 80 times more likely to get to school safely on a school bus than by car.”

Motorcoach style buses (like those eBus and other carriers use) have been required to be manufactured with seatbelts since September 2020 and must comply with different federal safety regulations.

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Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Brendan Pawliw
Brendan Pawliw
Since moving to Prince George in 2015, Brendan has covered local sports including the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, Prince George Spruce Kings, UNBC Timberwolves, Cariboo Cougars AAA, and Northern Capitals U18 female hockey teams. Career highlights include play-by-play during the Spruce Kings' BCHL championship runs in 2018 and 2019, including the Doyle Cup win. He also covered the 2019 National Junior A Championship, the 2017 Telus Cup, the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship, and the 2022 BC Summer Games. Brendan is the news voice on 94.3 The Goat and Country 97 FM, reporting on crime, real estate, labour, and environmental issues. Outside of work, he officiates box lacrosse and fastball, sits on the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame board, and co-hosts the Hockey North podcast.

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