Te economy is slowly improving at a crawl, which leaves


many school districts in budgetary limbo. Additionally, they must know their state rules, which vary. School Transportation News informally surveyed state di-


rectors of pupil transportation services in December, to which 38 responded, and found that 35 percent, or 13 states, do not have a law or regulation that bans or limits the ability of local school bus drivers to back-up school buses during route service. Tose states are: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Geor- gia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Texas. Meanwhile, at least five states (Connecticut, Iowa, Minne-


sota, Washington, and West Virginia) do have regulations that ban or limit backing by school bus drivers. Oregon only allows the backing of school buses on school grounds when a spot- ter is present. All New York school buses are equipped with back-up beepers, but state guidance exists that school bus driv- ers should only back up when absolutely necessary and only with the assistance of a “competent” spotter from the inside rear seat of the bus. Nevada goes a step farther. While many school districts forbid the practice, altogether, the state official- ly allows backing only when “absolutely necessary,” and then requires that all noisy equipment be turned off and students remain quiet and a monitor is present to ensure no pedestrians are behind the bus. Te driver must also honk the horn as a warning, utilize a five-count mirror check and slowly back-up the bus. Delaware has a similar requirement. Other states reported that school districts receive direction


ranging from no backing of school buses unless an adult spotter is present to recommended best practices. New Mexico uses the verbiage “unless absolutely necessary” and requires assis- tance from a spotter, while Montana recommends that school districts not allow their drivers to back up. Florida’s state school bus driver curriculum states backing should be avoided “when- ever possible.” Missouri has a similar requirement that school bus drivers are disallowed from backing unless a school patrol person gives the OK. A dozen states said policies are left to the discretion of local


school districts. Tose include Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Mich- igan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming. Maryland also leaves the issue up to local districts but advises against the practice “except in very specific situations, and then gives specific directions,” said Leon Langley, the pupil transportation director at the state’s depart- ment of education. Te NHTSA notice of proposed rulemaking was required by


congressional mandate following the passage of the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007. It directed NHTSA to amend FMVSS 111 on rearview mirrors to improve the ability of drivers in seeing pedestrians immediately behind vehicles. NHTSA said technology such as rear-mounted video cameras and in-vehicle displays could “significantly reduce fa- talities and injuries” that can occur during back-over crashes, especially those regarding children, people with disabilities and senior citizens. ■


School Transportation solutions that


think like you do.


It’s solutions that empower. It’s service that excels. It’s a team that understands everyone has a job to do from the transportation director right up to the school superintendent. And it’s a commitment to making that job easier. Maybe that’s why the Versatrans® product suite continues to set the standard for smoother bus routing, seamless software integration, and unparalleled district planning. Want school transportation software that thinks like you do? Visit tylertech.com or email us at info@tylertech.com.


www.stnonline.com 19


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60