Moore County Schools proposes removal of seat belt requirement on activity buses

The Moore County School Board held a work session on March 3, 2025, where significant discussions centered on proposed changes to school transportation policies, particularly regarding seat belt requirements on activity buses.

The board reviewed recommendations to remove certain sections of the existing policy that mandates seat restraints for students during school transportation. This includes the deletion of a requirement for all new passenger vehicles, including activity buses, to be equipped with seat belts. The rationale for these changes was presented by board members, who highlighted the unique safety design of school buses. They noted that school buses are built with compartmentalized seating, which provides a high level of safety in the event of a crash.

Key points discussed included the assertion that seat belts could hinder emergency evacuations during incidents such as fires or rollovers. The board emphasized that school buses are statistically one of the safest modes of transportation, with data showing that students are significantly safer traveling by bus than by car. Furthermore, it was mentioned that mandated seat belts have not shown a substantial decrease in injury or fatality rates in school bus accidents.

Concerns were raised about the practicality of seat belts for larger students, particularly athletes, who may find them uncomfortable and difficult to use. The discussion also touched on the increased costs associated with equipping buses with seat belts, as well as the potential for higher maintenance expenses due to vandalism and wear.

The board concluded that investments in driver training and pedestrian safety measures would be more effective in ensuring student safety than implementing seat belt requirements on activity buses. The proposed changes will be further reviewed in upcoming meetings, with the board aiming to finalize decisions that prioritize student safety and operational efficiency.