THE DEBATE OVER WHETHER TO INSTALL SEAT BELTS ON SCHOOL BUSES RESURFACES IN NEW MEXICO AFTER MONDAY'S SCHOOL BUS CRASH NEAR VALLECITOS IN NORTHERN NEW MEXICO. ONLY SIX STATES HAVE SEAT BELT LAWS THAT APPLY TO SCHOOL BUSES. AND NEW MEXICO LAWMAKERS, AT ONE TIME, DISCUSSED THE NEED FOR RESTRAINTS ON THE BUSES.
TRANSPORTATION EXPERTS INSIST THEY AREN'T NEEDED. THEY SAY BUSES ARE DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY THAT STUDENTS WOULD BE PROTECTED. BUT VIDEOS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY SHOW SCENES OF BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN BEING TOSSES OUT OF THEIR SEATS WHEN A SCHOOL BUS CRASHES.
