Seatbelt Safety Its Just Common Sense

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
#203, 8912-156 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5R 5Z2

February IXth, MMX

Hon. David G. Hancock, QC, MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Edmonton-Whitemud

Dear David:

I would argue that its appalling that there are still no seatbelts on school buses. Whether they be going out of commission, a few years old, or just brought in new for new schools or districts that require replacements. David, its my contention that all serviceable buses in this great Province should have mandated seatbelts. Whether they be 10 years or new.

It seems to me David that children's safety is the only priority. When Premier Donald Ross Getty, a predecessor of yours in Whitemud instilled that seatbelt mandatory law, by cabinet order, it should have been extended to all buses in the Province. But the former Premioer's thinking on this was that it would take too long to get kids out if the bus caught on fire or went over an embankment. What needs to happen David is that the Government Departments of Infrastructure & Education need to get together & install seatbelts on every school bus. Call up Teddy Morton at Finance. I bet you Albertans would support an initiative of an extra $5.00 surcharge levied on their Driver's License Renewals to pay for the program. This offset will help ensure that Ed doesn't have to dip to far into the rainy day funds. Plus, kids would be safe! And David, isn't all that counts?!

Lap It,

Rory

Source: Former Premer Donald Ross Getty.