PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A state lawmaker from Coventry is renewing his call to put seat belts on school buses, after a school bus crash in Tennessee killed five children.
Republican Rep. Robert Nardolillo has twice introduced legislation to require seat belts on school buses and says he plans to do it again next year.
Nardolillo calls it common-sense legislation that will prevent injury and death.
Only six states require seat belts on large school buses.
Opponents have argued that younger children could be trapped by seat belts in an emergency.
There are also concerns about costs. Federal agencies have estimated the price at $7,000 to $10,000 per bus.
Federal regulators have been pushing the idea. The National Highway Traffic Safety administrator last year called for a three-point seat belt on every bus.
