by KYW's Mike Dunn
A Philadelphia City Council committee voted on Monday to require seat belts on all school buses used in the city starting next year -- even though the city's lawyers believe the move is illegal.
City councilwoman Carol Campbell believes it's only a matter of time before city schoolkids are seriously hurt or killed in a bus accident because those buses don't have seat belts:
"It's a tragedy about to happen."
Campbell is urging prompt action:
"We have to start making strong measures to try to prevent that, to protect the children as much as we can."
She calls it "asinine" that seat belts are required in cars but not on school buses.
Council's transportation committee has now okayed Campbell's bill, requiring that owners of school buses in the city install three-point seat belt harnesses (lap and shoulder belts) for all students.
If it becomes law, it would take effect next September. But the city law department says Council does not have the authorization to mandate safety equipment on buses. That, the attorneys believe, must come from Harrisburg.
The bill now goes to the full Council. Campbell is hoping that Pennsylvania state lawmakers will follow the city's lead.
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