School Bus Transportation News at STN Media

hds

human
development
services

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration on Children, Youth and Families

1. Log No. ACYF-IM-82-01

2. Issuance Date: 1/19/82

3. Originating Office: ACYF/Head Start Bureau
Program Management & Operations Division

4. Key Word: Bus Safety

INFORMATION MEMORANDUM

TO:

ALL HEAD START GRANTEES AND DELEGATE AGENCIES

SUBJECT:

Federal School Bus Safety Standards on Head Start Vehicles

LEGAL AND RELATED REFERENCES:

National Traffic and Motor Vehicles Safety Act as amended by the Motor Vehicle and School Bus Safety Amendments of 1974. National Highway traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standars regulation (49 CFR Part 571, Sections 217, 220, 221, 222 and 301).

INFORMATION:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards regulation (45 CFR Part 571) establishes safety standards for school buses. These standards are applicable to manufacturers of school buses. The standards apply only to vehicles with a seating capacity of ten (10) or more.

While the NHTSA regulations do not apply directly to the owners and operators of school buses, they may have indirect application. Prior to purchasing or leasing a school bus, you are advised to check with your State authorities as well as your insurance agent to determine whether State law or insurance company policy requires that the buses you own or operate meet NHTSA standards. In the interest of safety, ACYF suggests that all buses purchased or leased to transport Head Start children meet NHTSA standards.

INQUIRIES TO:

Mr. Michael W. Ambrose, Director
Program Management and Operations Division
Head Start Bureau, ACYF