Ohio School District Strives for Safety through School Bus Seat Belts

Ohio School District Strives for Safety through School Bus Seat Belts

Two new buses might not seem exciting to some, but Avon Lake Schools’ new buses are special — they have added safety features including over-the-shoulder seat belts, disc brakes, a rearview camera, and a tank that runs on gasoline.

  • By Kaitlyn DeHaven
  • July 09, 2019

Avon Lake Schools acquired two new school buses this past week to replace two retiring buses. While this might be usual protocol, these buses are special — they have added safety features, including lap-shoulder safety belts.

The new buses are two out of 34 buses the district owns, and are part of a pilot program called the 2019-2020 school year “Seat Belt Pilot Program.” This program is reviewing the use of buses with seat belts in Ohio, according to Bob Scott, the district superintendent.

“Buses are safe, that’s why you take kids back and forth to school in buses, it’s some of the safest forms of transportation there is. The seat belts just add another layer,” Scott said. “We know that if there is a weakness, it’s a side impact or a rollover that the compartmentalization of buses can’t take care of. So, this is a chance for us to take care of and do our own research.”

The Avon Lake School Board of Education approved the purchase of the buses in February, with each bus costing about $92,000.

In addition to the seatbelts, the buses also use gasoline instead of diesel. This will make the bus cheaper to maintain and will make it easier to find fuel while traveling.

These buses also have disc brakes instead of hydraulic brakes, which provide better stopping power, and have a built-in camera with a microphone in the rear of the bus to give drivers a better view behind the bus.

Each seat has three over-the-shoulder seat belts and will comfortably fit three smaller children, or two older children.

About the Author

Kaitlyn DeHaven is the Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Electrified Latch Retraction Locks Key Benefits for Retrofits

    Building owners and facility managers increasingly rely on electrified hardware to enhance security while meeting accessibility standards. Among these technologies, electrified or motorized latch retraction locks are especially effective for retrofit projects where existing door and frame conditions complicate upgrades. Latch retraction capable locks combine security, accessibility and code compliance benefits, making them ideal for retrofitting fire-rated and non-rated openings in schools, healthcare facilities, commercial buildings and more. Read Now

  • How Cloud Security Solutions Are Transforming Campus Safety

    Campus administrators today face a challenging mandate: deliver stronger security across their facilities while working within tighter budget constraints. From school districts focused on student safety to hospitals protecting patients and staff, the question remains the same: how do you build security infrastructure that evolves with your needs without requiring massive capital investments? Read Now

  • Rethinking Campus Security From the Inside

    For decades, campus security strategies focused on keeping threats outside school walls. But since the tragedy at Columbine High School, data has shown that many attacks begin inside the building, often in classrooms and corridors. This shift has prompted schools to rethink security from the inside and place greater emphasis on interior elements such as classroom doors. This shift is evidenced by a new generation of classroom door systems engineered to delay inside intruders and an ASTM standard that raises the bar on how these systems must be designed to defend against attack. Read Now

  • AI in Security: Advancing Campus Safety and Considerations for Implementing

    Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to capture attention across every sector, and the physical security industry is no exception. Once seen as experimental, AI-enabled analytics now underpin how organizations monitor environments, detect threats, and make decisions. What was once futuristic is now a practical necessity for safety professionals managing growing volumes of data, tighter resources, and increasing expectations for faster, more accurate responses. Read Now

Most   Popular