Adopted at the 120th Annual Conference

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

October 23, 2013

Retention of the "National School Bus Yellow" Color Scheme

Submitted by: Highway Safety Committee

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WHEREAS, the safe transportation of school children to and from school each day is of the highest priority; and

WHEREAS, the iconic black-on-yellow color scheme of school buses throughout the United States was developed by school transportation officials, industry advocates, parents, scientists, and law enforcement officials during the first meeting of the National Congress on School Transportation in 1939, in an effort to ensure the safe and economical transportation of school children; and

WHEREAS, the color of school buses provides contrast and visibility during early morning and late afternoon ambient lighting conditions, the times during which the majority of school transportation occurs; and

WHEREAS, the black-on-yellow color scheme renders school buses throughout the United States immediately and unmistakably recognizable by law enforcement, safety officials, and the general public as school buses transporting school children; and

WHEREAS, the National Congress on School Transportation has met 14 times since 1939 to discuss and develop standards for the color of school bus exteriors, with no change to the original recommendation for a black-on-yellow color scheme; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) urges state and local legislators and all other public officials charged with school bus safety oversight in North America to enlist the assistance and acceptance of the 75-year-old National Congress on School Transportation, including all associated school transportation officials, industry advocates, law enforcement officials, and other professionals charged with school pupil transportation safety, prior to authorizing any change to the black-on-yellow color scheme of school buses within their jurisdiction.