The National Transportation Safety Board or NTSB is a collection of the most safety-minded professionals in the US and most likely in the World. The NTSB reports directly to the US Congress. This elite group writes the safety recommendations for all forms of transportation in the US, over or under land, sea, rail, or air. Seventy-three percent of all NTSB recommendations are put into place. All operating administrations such as the FAA, DOT and NHTSA implement and enforce the recommendations written by the NTSB.
Back in July of 2019, the NTSB concluded its investigation of a tragic school bus fire that claimed the life of a driver and student. The NTSB decided it was time to update the school bus safety standards and made several new recommendations. One of these recommendations is that all new and all existing school buses are to have an Automatic Fire Suppression System “AFSS” installed that address engine fires. They sent these recommendations to the DOT and NHTSA to implement and enforce.
Senator Tammy Duckworth from IL has also introduced a “School Bus Safety Act” bill. Duckworth is an ex-helicopter helicopter pilot that lost both her legs when she was shot by a rocket-propelled grenade while on a mission over Iraq. She knows that she survived because of the modern safety devices and features that protected her even with the loss of both legs. Senator Duckworth would not be here today if it were not for advances in safety being implemented and enforced.
Some districts are beginning to put AFSS on some special needs buses and very select few have begun to put them on all buses.
So, why are we still not taking action to protect our 25 million students that ride the bus every day?