Seat Belts Should Be In School Buses, Federal Safety Regulator Says

RICHMOND, Va. (CBS) -- The country's top roadway safety regulator is changing its position on school bus safety, CBS News reports.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will now support – but not require – seat belts on school buses.

NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind made the announcement at a speech in Virginia on Sunday, saying that seat belts save lives.

"School buses should have seat belts. Period." Rosekind said.

The NHTSA hopes school bus makers will voluntarily outfit them with seat belts.