Every day, parents and guardians in Indiana send their children off on school buses, trusting that they will come home safely. School buses are considered one of the safest forms of transportation, yet there remains a significant gap in the safety regulations that govern them — the lack of seat belts. While cars and smaller vehicles strictly require seat belts, school buses, which carry the precious cargo of our children, are not bound by the same laws. This petition calls for a state-wide mandate requiring seat belts on all school buses in Indiana.

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration highlight that while school bus fatality rates are low compared to other forms of transportation, seat belts can further decrease the risk of injury and death. Properly installed and used seat belts could help prevent fatalities and incapacitating injuries in the rare, but possible, event of a crash. A 2018 study by the University of Alabama found that seat belts could reduce school bus rollover fatalities by as much as 74%.

The safety of our children should never be optional. It’s unsettling that most Indiana school buses do not provide seat belts for children, even though a 2015 survey indicated approximately 70% of parents favored such regulations. Implementing seat belts will not only enhance safety but also improve behavior and discipline among students during transit, creating a more controlled environment for drivers.

Our neighboring states, like New York and New Jersey, have taken steps towards protecting their students by mandating seat belts, and it's time Indiana joins this movement for enhanced child safety. Legislative action must be taken to amend current regulations and ensure funding is allocated for the retrofitting of existing buses with seat belts as well as making them a mandatory feature for new bus purchases.

We need the Indiana Department of Education and state legislators to prioritize this issue by advocating for legislation that ensures every child who rides a school bus is as protected as those who are in personal vehicles. Safety should never be compromised when it comes to our children. Sign this petition now to make a critical change for safer travel conditions and peace of mind for all Indiana families.