Proposed changes to the law to ensure all school buses are fitted with seat belts have been unveiled.
SNP MSP Gillian Martin formally introduced a Member's Bill at Holyrood on Wednesday which would make seat belts a legal requirement on dedicated school transport.
The measures contained in the Seat Belts on School Transport (Scotland) Bill have been supported by the Scottish Government.
Launching the Bill, Aberdeenshire East MSP Ms Martin said: "As a mother and member of a rural community, I am all too aware of the importance of safety on the journey to and from school.
"The safety of our children is paramount, and the response to the proposed legislation from parents, schools and other groups has been extremely positive and supportive."
She added that the Scottish Government has taken a collaborative approach to shaping the proposals, working with local government, the transport industry and parenting groups.
The move follows the devolution of powers under the Scotland Act and mirrors measures already implemented in Wales.
The proposed legislation would place a statutory requirement on local authorities and other education providers to make sure vehicles used in all dedicated home-to-school transport are fitted with seat belts.
The new legal requirement is intended to come into effect next year for vehicles transporting primary school children, and in 2021 for those carrying secondary school pupils. The staggered phasing-in is intended to help councils and bus companies adapt to the change.
It will apply to all road vehicles provided by local authorities, grant-aided schools or independent schools, such as buses, coaches, minibuses and taxis.
Local authorities are currently free to demand seat belts within their school transport contracts, with just over half of Scotland's councils said to do so.
The National Parent Forum of Scotland said it fully supports the Bill.
Chair Joanna Murphy said: "Parents would always wish for their child to be transported safely to and from school, and this Bill aims to ensure just that."
The Scottish Government said the proposals will complement other measures being taken to improve safety on the journey to and from school.
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: "When parents wave their children off to school in the mornings, they expect all of us with responsibilities for their welfare to do everything we can to keep them safe, which is why the Scottish Government supports Gillian Martin's Bill to ensure that seat belts become a legal requirement on all dedicated school transport in Scotland.
"Currently, local authorities can stipulate that the vehicles used in their dedicated school transport contracts have seat belts, and many do, but this Bill would make that a universal requirement across Scotland."
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