44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2000

REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE IMPLICATIONS OF TRANSPORTING STUDENTS IN VEHICLES NOT MEETING SCHOOL BUS DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS.

WHEREAS, the state board of education has adopted a regulation to permit the use of two types of vehicles other than a school bus to transport students for school activities; and

WHEREAS, research indicates that children are better protected in vehicles designed as school buses; and

WHEREAS, the national fatality rate for school-age children during normal school hours is greater in other vehicles used as compared to school buses; and

WHEREAS, the state board of education has not considered the safety of students as their priority in allowing other vehicles to be used to transport students for school activities; and

WHEREAS, in New Mexico an average of fifty-nine school-age children are fatally injured annually in other vehicles as compared to zero in school buses; and

WHEREAS, school buses are designed to meet stringent federal construction standards to protect passengers when involved in an accident; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico has an excellent safety record of school bus operations;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative education study committee study the potential danger and cost implications of transporting students for school activities in vehicles not meeting school bus design and construction standards; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative education study committee report its findings and recommendations to the New Mexico legislative council by October 1, 2000; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the legislative education study committee.