Districts Make Sure Drivers Buckle Up

Indianapolis, IN
I-Team 8’s investigation into seat belt use among bus drivers showed a disturbing trend: a growing number of drivers who aren’t buckled up behind the wheel.

But, we also found some local school districts that are taking a unique step to make sure drivers are buckled up.

It’s a simple change in color that’s making all the difference.

The push began after a Carmel-Clay school bus driver who wasn’t wearing his seat belt was bounced out of his seat. Surveillance video from that Carmel crash last May showed the driver’s seat belt hanging, unbuckled by his side, as his bus became a 30,000 pound battering ram, slamming through a fence and into a home.

The driver had been bounced out of his “air cushion” seat after hitting a bump. Fortunately, there were no children on board, and the driver wasn’t seriously hurt.

Safe Havens, International