06-05-2025
Buckle up? Push continues for seatbelts in local school buses
AVON LAKE, Ohio (WJW) — There's a new push to install seatbelts on school buses in one local district.
Avon Lake resident Dr. Rudy Breglia called on Avon Lake City Council Monday night to pass a resolution that would support seatbelts in school buses and compel the Avon Lake School District to conduct another Seat Belt Pilot Program.
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'Because the last pilot program they ran didn't have the requirement that children had to use the seatbelts that were available,' Breglia said.
Back in 2019, Avon Lake added two school buses with lap and shoulder restraints as part of a pilot program.
Ultimately, the district decided it wasn't sustainable. Meanwhile, Breglia has continued his efforts to get schools to buckle up.
'The reason I approached city council was because they share responsibility with the school district to provide safety for the children during transportation,' said Breglia.
Breglia said the resolution would also support House Bill 3, the school bus safety act.
'The house version will appropriate 25 million to the idea of bus safety,' said State Rep. Joe Miller of District 53.
Miller said the grant money from HB 3 could be used by a district to purchase seat belts.
'I think each district needs to make decision for themselves to decide the best way to keep children safe on the bus,' Miller said.
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The Avon Lake School District did not return phone calls seeking comment on the resolution Monday night.
Avon Lake City Council is expected to vote on the resolution in two weeks. Meanwhile House Bill 3 has been assigned to committee in the statehouse.
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