Safer school bus regulations deferred to 2039

The federal government has delayed full implementation of new school bus safety measures until as late as 2039, despite concerns about the risks children face near school buses.

Blacklock's Reporter says mandatory seatbelts were ruled out due to cost and practicality.

“School buses are the safest way to transport children to and from school, more so than any other form of transportation including walking,” the Department of Transport noted in a Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement.

“They are not without safety risks,” it added.

Under updated Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations, school buses manufactured after November 1, 2027, must include blind-spot cameras for drivers and video cameras to capture motorists illegally passing buses with flashing stop signals.

These changes aim to reduce risks in loading zones, which the department identified as the most dangerous area for schoolchildren.

“Evidence confirmed schoolchildren are at greater risk in or near school bus loading zones than they are as school bus passengers,” the department explained.

Cameras to record infractions will also “help deter passing motorists” who ignore bus stop signals.

The cost of implementing these measures is estimated at $16.3 million annually for school boards nationwide. However, since the regulations apply only to new buses, it will take 10 to 12 years for the upgraded fleet to replace the existing 65,000 school buses in Canada.

The transport department has consistently opposed mandatory seatbelts on school buses, citing cost and logistical challenges.

A 2020 federal Task Force on School Bus Safety estimated that installing seatbelts would cost $255 million. The Canada Safety Council also raised concerns about the practicality of designing seatbelt systems for children of varying sizes and ensuring they are used correctly.

“You would have to design a seatbelt system for little children and bigger kids, kindergarten to Grade 7,” said Raynald Marchand, then-manager of safety programs at the council.

“It’s not possible for a driver to ensure all seatbelts are worn and worn safely.”

Currently, nine U.S. states require seatbelts on school buses, and the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommended in 2018 that all new school buses include three-point belts. The recommendation followed a 2016 Tennessee bus crash that killed six kindergartners.

In Canada, an estimated 2.2 million children ride school buses daily. Fatalities average three per year, according to transport department data.