China vows to enhance school bus safety

China.org.cn, January 5, 2012

教育部已初步同意把沈阳作为全国电动校车的试点城市;据报道,今年沈阳市把解决校车问题作为办实事项目之一,预计投入资金1亿元

School bus safety has come under increased scrutiny following two accidents last year.

China will increase checks and enhance monitoring for school bus safety in light of last month's deadly school bus accident in east China, the country's top work safety watchdog said on Wednesday.

According to the Work Safety Commission under the State Council, governments at all levels should identify and eliminate weaknesses in school bus safety, urge overall checks for safety loopholes and monitor private buses used by kindergartens, elementary and secondary schools.

Knowledge about school bus safety will be strengthened among students and parents. School bus drivers will be required to undergo stricter training programs.

On November 16, 2011, a school bus accident occured in northwest China's Gansu Province, killing 15 people. On December 12, 2011, another school bus overturned and fell into a ditch in east China's Jiangsu Province. A total of 15 people died.