According to reports, a pickup truck was involved in a truck accident with a school bus this week and the pickup truck driver died. Five children and the school bus driver were taken to the hospital with injuries and reports thankfully have all in fair condition.
The disparity in size and weight between buses or other commercial vehicles and pickups in passenger cars can be most dangerous for the smaller vehicle. However, with school buses particularly in those without seatbelts, children can easily get hurt.
Texas has recently passed and unfunded initiative, which requires that each school bus purchased by a school district after September 1, 2010 have seatbelts. But the initiative only kicks in if the legislature provides sufficient funding. To date
It is my understanding that the funding has not been secured for all such purchases.
Texas is to be commended for enacting such initiative and for the funding that has already been arranged. While safety advocates have been seeking seatbelts in school buses for years I am delighted to see Texas as one of the leaders in the country on the issue.
Only six states require seatbelts in school buses despite the overwhelming evidence that children could be saved by seat belt use. Let us hope, that children in Texas take precedence and we have the courage to find the funding for seatbelts in Texas school buses.
Greg Baumgartner is a Houston semi truck accident attorney and also the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which concentrates on helping Houston personal injury victims. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a Houston commercial vehicle accident call the Baumgartner law firm for a no obligation consultation.
