By MATT LINDSEY

North Country Now

POTSDAM – Potsdam Central School Superintendent Joann Chambers has some concern over lap belts on school buses if a proposal by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to require all students to wear a seat belt passes.

Gov. Cuomo has included a proposal in the state budget that would require students across the state to wear seat belts on school buses. He says it would enhance safety.

“I talked with Kevin Kingsley, the transportation supervisor … neither of us have really looked at the research so we don't have a strong opinion on the matter,” she said.

She said it seems like mandating students to wear seatbelts would be safer, though the buses currently have only a lap belt and not a shoulder strap.

“With small children, having a lap belt only can cause injury,” she said.

Chambers asked Kingsley if the New York Association for Pupil Transportation (NYAPT) has issued a statement on the proposal yet, and they have not.

Kingsley expects the topic to come up at an upcoming regional meeting.

If the law passes, PCS will establish the expectation that its students wear seat belts.

“We believe it will be easier to enforce this requirement with younger students. Once the bus is moving, it will be difficult for the driver to monitor whether students remain strapped in or not.”

PCS does not require students to wear seat belts, with the only exception for students who attend pre-K. Those up to four years old must be strapped into an integrated car seat.