Renewed Debate Over Seatbelts on Oklahoma School Buses
- mike33692
- Sep 15
- 1 min read
Lawmakers Revisit Longstanding Issue
The deadly Minco school bus crash has reignited discussion over whether Oklahoma should require seatbelts on all school buses. The issue has been debated in the legislature for decades but has repeatedly stalled.
State Senator Paul Rosino reiterated that the primary obstacle remains the cost of retrofitting or purchasing buses with seatbelts.
“The same reason we’ve heard for decades is the cost of putting belts in the seats,” Rosino said on Your Vote Counts.
Critics Say Safety Should Outweigh Cost of Seatbelts
Former State Representative Jason Dunnington countered that lawmakers need to look beyond the price tag when it comes to student safety.
Advocates point out that states like Texas and California already require belts on new school buses, while Oklahoma continues to lag behind despite recurring tragedies.
What Comes Next
Lawmakers are expected to revisit the issue in the 2026 legislative session, but so far no bill has gained enough momentum to move forward. Parents and safety advocates continue to press for change.
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