It is the kind of idea that seems to make a lot of sense but never goes anywhere. Twenty-three times in the past 20 years, legislation has been introduced in the General Assembly to require seat belts on school buses, only to die in committee. State Representative Anthony Guerrera of Rocky Hill decided last week to make it an even two dozen attempts, hoping that the emotional impact of a tragic bus crash on I-84 that killed a Rocky Hill student and injured more than a dozen others on January 9 will result in more than a rote rejection of the measure.

Initiatives to mandate seat belts on Connecticut’s large school buses (they are already required on small school buses) have always stumbled on questions over the efficacy of restraints, whether their use by students should be mandatory or optional, and, as always, cost. While it is true that some studies have shown lap belts may do more harm than good in some types of accidents, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that harness-type three-point restraints could offer some protections if they are used properly. Other advances in bus design may help as well. The NHTSA has recently updated its regulations to require higher seat backs on all buses manufactured after October 21, 2011.

Notwithstanding the bus tragedy on I-84 earlier this month, school buses maintain a consistently good record of safety thanks in large part to the professionalism of school bus drivers. Still, any opportunity to improve that record safety — any opportunity to save just one child’s life — should be investigated and, if found valid, implemented. We urge legislators to take the time this time around to research all bus safety issues and investigate new restraint systems and seat designs before concluding once again that we can do no better than we are doing now. When children continue to die on school buses, we must do better.