Turner, Lagana School Bus Seat Belt Law Signed by Governor

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner and Senator Joseph Lagana that would require all school buses to be equipped with three-point lap and shoulder seat belts was signed into law by Governor Murphy today.

The new law replaces current law which requires school busses to be equipped with only lap belts.

The legislation, S-233, was a result of a Senate Transportation Committee hearing on school bus safety after the tragic school bus accident that killed a student and a teacher from Paramus’ East Brook Middle School last May.  Experts, officials and survivors of the crash addressed the committee and stressed the need for improved safety measures.

“We are thankful to Governor Murphy for signing the bill. That horrible accident was a terrible wakeup call for us to legislate mandatory installation of seat belts that provide greater protection in the case of an impact,” said Senator Turner (D-Hunterdon/Mercer).  “Now we can better protect our state’s students.”

“Following the bus accident that tragically took the lives of a Paramus student and teacher, I called for legislative hearings to improve safety. We heard moving testimony from a family friend of mine that survived the crash. He wondered why school buses didn’t have the same kind of seatbelts as his parents’ car that came over the shoulder,” said Senator Lagana (D-Bergen/Passaic). “With the signing of this bill into law, we are ensuring our children will be protected the way they deserve.”