China vows to enhance school bus safety

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.