NYAPT Speaks Out on Driver Actions
The New York Association for Pupil Transportation is deeply concerned by the actions of the school bus driver who crashed a school bus into a home in Syosset, New York (SEE NEWS ARTICLE) . According to local police reports, the school bus driver was under the influence of alcohol and has been formally charged with several felonies and misdemeanors related to his alleged DWI condition.
We are grateful that none of the children involved in this incident were injured and are safe at home with their families.
The women and men who oversee and manage school transportation services across our state work very hard to ensure that every school bus is safe and every school bus driver is properly prepared and ready to drive our children to school each day. The school bus drivers in our state are trained and dedicated to the safety of the children on their school buses.
Sadly, the actions of this one school bus driver — if proven true – will have a tarnishing effect on our record of safety for the more than 2.3 million children who ride yellow school buses to and from school each day.
Parents and the general public should know that all school districts and all school bus operators carry out specific responsibilities to preclude such incidents from occurring. These include:
- Obtaining personal references for all new school bus drivers;
- Conducting criminal background checks to ensure that drivers do not have inappropriate convictions;
- Performing random drug and alcohol tests in accordance with federal regulations;
- Performing behavior observations of all school bus drivers on a daily basis;
- Training school bus drivers on proper practices and conduct to ensure they understand their roles.
We commend the more than 50,000 school bus drivers in our state who diligently carry out their duties for our children and deliver them to school and back home again every day. They deserve our recognition and gratitude for their fine service to the children.
For further information, contact Peter Mannella, Executive Director of NYAPT at 518-463-4937, or e-mail at peter@nyapt.org.
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