URGENT UPDATE: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has just announced a critical call for Texas to enforce stricter seat belt policies on school buses following a serious crash involving a Leander ISD bus on August 13, 2023. This recommendation follows the agency’s investigation into the incident that left 16 children hospitalized.
Authorities reported that on a wet road near Sandy Creek, the bus, which had just departed from Bagdad Elementary School, rolled over after crossing the double yellow line multiple times. Of the 46 students on board, only 6 were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, raising alarming concerns about student safety.
The NTSB’s urgent recommendations are directed not only to the Texas state government but also to national school transportation associations and the Leander Independent School District. They criticized the district for failing to ensure that passengers were properly restrained, despite the bus being equipped with both lap and shoulder belts as well as five-point child-restraint harnesses.
Video evidence from the incident revealed that only a fraction of the students utilized the available safety measures. After the crash, the bus driver was cited for failing to drive within a single lane and violating safety belt regulations; however, no criminal charges were filed. The driver has since been terminated from employment with Leander ISD as of August 27, 2023.
The NTSB emphasized that Texas law mandates seat belt use on school buses, but they are pressing the state to enhance compliance measures through regular audits, mandatory driver training, and stringent enforcement of safety policies. The organization has also urged three national school transportation organizations to disseminate information regarding this crash and advocate for stronger seat belt regulations nationwide.
With a response period of 30 days required from the recipients of these recommendations, the urgency for immediate action is clear. The safety of students across Texas hangs in the balance, prompting parents and school officials alike to pay close attention to these developments as they unfold.
Stay tuned for updates on this critical safety issue that impacts countless students and families across the state.
