Report: Up To 70% Of Michigan School Buses Could Be Unsafe

DETROIT (WWJ) - How safe is your child's school bus?  A new report shows that a majority of the Michigan school buses on the road could be defective.

A recent state police inspection found about 20 percent of the 3,000 school buses inspected by Michigan State Police had serious problems. What may be more troubling, however:  WWJ Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skibuck reports the latest data shows 70 percent of school buses that were inspected and found to need work were never re-inspected.

"The schools repaired the buses and then self-certified without any followup with the Michigan State Police," Skibuck explained in a Monday report.

[MORE INFORMATION FROM THE STATE] 

The state says the MSP division that inspects school buses is understaffed, but repairs are now in the works.

Mom Tory Franks told WWJ's Charlie Langton that's not good enough.

"It's against the law for us to drive around without the seatbelts," she said. Why is it not against the law for the school buses not to have seatbelts or have the buses up to code for our children and care for our safety?"

Dave VanNess of Southfield feels the same.

"These are little kids. They may not have seatbelts, maybe the back door doesn't open for a fire. What do you say to the little kids? 'Sorry, our taxes don't help you?'" he said.

Detroiter Sequoia Parks finds the whole thing is disturbing.

"It's unfortunate because students should be first, they are our future," she said.

Michigan's school buses are inspected on a cycle beginning each Sept. 1 of each year and ending on Aug. 31.