Gray Line Tennessee to add seat belts in school buses

Gray Line announced Monday it will install seat belts in school buses that serve public charter schools in Davidson County.

The company hopes to have more than 50 percent of its buses equipped with lap-shoulder belts by the start of the 2017-18 school year and 100 percent by the start of the 2018-19 year.

“Our concern for safety is always a top priority and Gray Line Tennessee works hard to develop a culture of safety throughout the entire organization,” said Chuck Abbott, president and CEO of Gray Line Tennessee.

“When it comes to school bus safety, many factors are involved but three stand out: driver performance, student behavior and safe equipment. We will work with our charter school customers on the development and implementation of the plan to roll out the newly equipped vehicles over the next 18 months,” Abbott continued.

Gray Line says each of their buses is already quipped with two camera systems to monitor driver performance and student behavior.

It also says it works in partnership with school administration to proactively identify and address behavior issues on the bus.

According to the press release, there are currently 35 federally mandated safety standards that apply to all school buses, though only six states have seatbelt requirements.

The decision comes nearly a month after six children were killed in a tragic school bus crash in Chattanooga. The driver was arrested and the company that owns the bus has announced major changes in safety.

-WKRN