By Alabama Public Radio
Tuscaloosa AL – Governor Bob Riley has formed a task force to investigate the idea of making school bus seat belts mandatory. A two day public meeting began Monday in Huntsville where a school bus wreck that killed four high school students occured in November. The National Transportation Safety Board has said school buses are designed to protect occupants without seat belts. While older buses typically had metal seat backs, new designs include padding and closer spacing to reduce the chance of injury. The National Transportation Safety Board estimates that 21 children die each year entering or exiting U.S. school buses. An estimated 6 children are killed inside school buses each year.